Two Swords

Here's a fantastic, brilliant song, from a band that fits the same description. Depending on where you live, you may know them as "The Beat" or "The English Beat". Or you may not know them at all, in which case you are in for a treat!

Listen to the studio recording (from their first album, "I Just Can't Stop It"):



Read the lyrics. Brilliant writing here. And it goes by so fast!

I may be misunderstand everything, but it seems to me the words have changed a bit over the years. So this may not be exact but here's the basic idea:

I've never been one for the punch-up
But look I really hate those Nazis
A certain something starts to wind me up
How could I hate it oh so violently

When two swords slashing at each other
Only sharpen one another
And in the long run even he's your brother
Said even though the kid's a Nazi

Always attack those things in someone else
Reflections that you can't face in yourself
To keep fascistic precious feelings gone
It makes you turn into a bigger one
Bigger

Two swords slashing at each other
Only sharpen one another
And in the long run even he's your brother
Said even though the kid's a Nazi

Are you fighting the Front
or just fronting a fight
Sometimes it's hard to see
the left from the right
Are we angry, are we looking for peace
Or just tryin' to win the war
by killing all the enemy off
Just to kill the enemy off
Just to kill the enemy off
Just to kill the enemy off

I've never been one for the punch-up
But look I really hate those Nazis
A certain something gets to wind me up
How could I hate it oh so violently

When two swords slashing at each other
Only sharpen one another
And in the long run even he's your brother
Said even though the kid's a Nazi
Even though the kid's a Nazi
Even though the kid's a Nazi

Now watch them play it live. This is from a ska/reggae festival in Cologne in 2017:



As you enjoy this clip, pay close attention to Ranking Roger's introduction:

All right. This is a bit different from the norm. And I'm lovin' this festival! And the reason why this festival stands is for love and unity. And I'm so proud of the organizers for having us here. But there's something [applause] there's something that you must know. I think racism is a sin. It's worse than a crime, man, it's a sin. So this one goes out to all those fascists and racists who are marchin' out there today, 'cause we're gonna bust them up in the end! Watch! [applause] But [applause] we need to do it in a non-violent fashion. [cheers] Right? Remember that, before all the rioting starts. We need to be peaceful about this. [snip] It's worked before. It can work again. This one's called "Two Swords".

Gone too soon. RIP Roger! Bust them up in a non-violent fashion indeed.

Some have said this is the best dance band there ever was, and I am in no position to disagree. There may have been a better one somewhere, sometime, but I've never heard any music that made me want to move more than this fabulous band. Black and white. Guitars and horns. Love and unity. The only way.

And pacy! Very very pacy! I'm lovin' this band!

After you've seen the video 6 or 8 times, watch it again and pay attention to Dave Wakeling. He's the guitar player on your left (stage right), wearing a dark shirt and playing a cream colored Telecaster. Dave is a rhythm guitar genius, right up there with Jimi and EVH in my opinion, but he never gets any love. He's also conducting the band, as you can see at the end of the song. Brilliant music from brilliant musicians and I am thrilled and humbled to share it with you.

In the long run even he's your brother ... and we need to bust them up in a non-violent fashion. Remember that, before all the rioting starts. It's worked before. It can work again. Peace be with you.