Wish It Was True

The song 'Wish It Was True' by The White Buffalo is a poignant reflection on disillusionment and the painful gap between ideals and reality. The artist, known for his powerful voice and emotive storytelling, delves into themes of duty, regret, and the search for redemption. The lyrics are structured as a series of confessions to the protagonist's mother, father, and country, expressing a deep sense of personal failure and longing for things to be different.

The verses addressed to the mother and father reveal a struggle to live up to expectations and a desire to make amends for past wrongs. The repeated line 'I wish it was true' underscores the protagonist's yearning for a reality that aligns with the values and hopes instilled in him. This refrain becomes a haunting acknowledgment of the chasm between the idealized life he was taught to strive for and the harsh truths he has come to face.

The final verse shifts the focus to the protagonist's experience as a soldier and his relationship with his country. The patriotic imagery of 'the red white and blue' is contrasted with the feeling of being discarded and dehumanized after serving. The song suggests a critique of how soldiers are treated upon returning from war, touching on themes of alienation and the broken promises of a nation. The White Buffalo's 'Wish It Was True' is a somber meditation on the disillusionment that can come from realizing that the principles one has fought for may not be upheld by the society they were meant to protect.