Young Man [James Young]

Young Man
Written by James Young, Rick Young
Lead Vocals by James Young

People say with age there comes experience
But answers seem more distant every day
The good news and the bad news come together
What politician played this trick you say?

Who can we get to win the fight?
A young man
Who can we get to make love all night?
A young man
Who do we send away to die?
A young man
I heard a lonely woman cry for
A young man

Ideologies mean very little
When in practicality they're quite the same
If God is love how can Her words be twisted
Into holy wars where men will kill and maim

Who can we get to win the fight?
A young man
Who can we get to make love all night?
A young man
Who do we send away to die?
A young man
I heard a lonely woman cry for
A young man

Come home my son, we'll give you a rest
Welcome my son, we'll give you the best
Time's stowaway, the young man
So short are the days, of the young man

Interpretation

The lyrics have been changed a little, but the message is the same. Why do politicians push for wars, condemning so many young men to death?   Why is religion twisted into justification for war?

JY: "I guess there needs to be at least one serious song on every album. A lot of people had recently commented to me about this song which was originally recorded on the Styx SERPENT IS RISING album. This was an overlooked song on an overlooked album (which is now out of print), and I felt I could do it a little better 14 years later. It also gives me a chance to rework the lyrics reflecting my not quite as young man perspective. And Jerry ('blazing solos') Goodman shows us all here why he is still the premier rock violinist in the world."