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War themes, battlefield death, combat trauma references
Detailed Analysis
This song is a tribute to Corporal Leslie 'Bull' Allen, an Australian war hero who repeatedly risked his life to carry wounded soldiers to safety during combat. The lyrics reference war, bullets, soldiers being killed ('return from a war in a bag'), and the psychological aftermath of combat ('return unwilling to plan a life'). There is no explicit language, sexual content, or drug/alcohol references. The violence is contextual and non-gratuitous — presented in a historical, honorific context rather than glorifying violence. However, themes of war, death, and the mental health toll on returning soldiers make this more suitable for older children and teens who can process these realities thoughtfully. The overall message is one of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice, which carries strong positive values.
Themes
war heroism
sacrifice
courage
death
military trauma
patriotism
Lyrics
Sometimes war is killing Sometimes it's saving lives It's the judgement of faith It's nothing that men can dictate Corporal Leslie Allen carried them from Tambu Saved his brothers in arms Went out and followed through There and back again Bull just carried on Under fire he carried them out one by one There and back again Bullets all around Out of the men that he carried away Twelve men would now live to see one more day His fear held at bay as he carried them away Sometimes war is killing Sometimes it's saving lives From Australia shore Bull Allen went to war Sometimes war is saving Sometimes it's taking lives Thanks to one single man A dozen more survives There and back again Bull just carried on Under fire he carried them out one by one There and back again Bullets all around Out of the men that he carried away Twelve men would now live to see one more day His fear held at bay as he carried them away Some men return from a war in a bag And yet the world knows the story Others return unwilling to plan a life When humble at heart, no There and back again Bull just carried on Under fire he carried them out one by one There and back again Bullets all around Out of the men that he carried away Twelve men would now live to see one more day His fear held at bay as he carried them away
Remember: You know your child best. Use LyricsRay as a tool to inform your decisions, but always trust your parental instincts and family values when determining what's right for your children.
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