Jugar a La Guerra

Los Prisioneros' song 'Jugar a La Guerra' is a biting critique of the glorification of war and the manipulation of young minds by those in power. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of children dressed in clean uniforms and polished boots, resembling schoolboys, yet they are being prepared to play a deadly game. The song juxtaposes the innocence of youth with the harsh reality of war, highlighting the absurdity and tragedy of sending young people to fight battles orchestrated by older, more powerful individuals.

The chorus, 'A jugar a los pistoleros, A jugar a la guerra,' translates to 'Let's play cowboys, Let's play war,' emphasizing the trivialization of violence and conflict. The song suggests that for those in power, war is just another game, a strategic exercise devoid of the human cost. The older generation, described as having mansions built on declarations and exceptional hard faces, are depicted as the true beneficiaries of war, while the young are merely pawns in their game.

The lyrics also touch on the role of media and propaganda in perpetuating the cycle of violence. Phrases like 'mi país es más valiente y de sangre más caliente' ('my country is braver and of hotter blood') are roared from the television, instilling a false sense of pride and nationalism. The song ends on a grim note, with a call to 'huir a los basurales' ('flee to the dumps') and a stark statement that 'el suicidio es más simpático' ('suicide is more sympathetic'), underscoring the despair and futility felt by those caught in the machinery of war.

'Jugar a La Guerra' is a powerful anti-war anthem that uses satire and stark imagery to criticize the senselessness of conflict and the exploitation of the young by the old. It challenges listeners to question the narratives fed to them by those in power and to see through the glorification of war to its devastating human impact.