I've always been fascinated with these 2 anti-war/protest songs. They have a lot of thematic similarities in the lyrics, which is interesting because Ozzy Osbourne and Bob Dylan couldn't be more different in so many ways. Hell, even the muscial dynamic of these 2 songs are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Do people prefer one over the other, or is it fair to listen to them as companion pieces?

Masters of War

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

War Pigs

Generals gathered in their masses
just like witches at black masses
evil minds that plot destruction
sorcerers of death's construction
in the fields the bodies burning
as the war machine keeps turning
death and hatred to mankind
poisoning their brainwashed minds

Politicians hide themselves away
they only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor

Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait 'till their judgment day comes

Now in darkness, world stops turning
ashes were the bodies burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of god has struck the hour
Day of judgment, god is calling
on their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings

I like War Pigs, but Masters of War is about 600 times better.

it depends who's singing it

Sabbath > Dylan

Masters of War
originally performed by: Dylan
lyrics: undergrad English major quality
music: tuneless dirge
length: interminable
covered by: Pearl Jam

War Pigs
originally performed by: Black Sabbath
lyrics: junior high school D&D nerd quality
music: pretty much unassailably awesome
length: no complaints here I guess
covered by: Faith No More

I guess it's a tie

until you posted the lyrics, i hadn't even noticed that "war pigs" had an anti-war message .

i prefer "masters of war" partially because i'm a biased dylan lover and also because i think the message in "masters" gets across a lot better/easier.

I like masters of war better myself. The lyrics seemed laced with poisen at some points. War Pigs is a very good anti war song and i like it a lot, but some of the lyrics in masters of war just cut like a knife to me.

that said flaming lips do a good war pigs cover live too

I like the more recent Pearl Jam covers (2004-2006) of Masters of War better than either original (The old version from the Dylan tribute is pretty badass too), but as far as the two songs themselves go, I like War Pigs much better. It's probably my favorite song Ozzy was ever a part of, whether with Black Sabbath or solo. I've seen Ozzy 3 times in concert and the last time he opened with War Pigs. Definately the highlight of the show for me.

lyrically Dylan pwns Sabbath, Musically it's the other way around. but since you are asking about the message, Masters of War wins easily.

I just can't take ozzy osbourne seriously so masters of war.

i chose masters of war..by pearl jam..washington dc 06

but war pigs is good too

the flaming lips one would be good if they played all the solos

War pigs by a million. Their lyrics are about a dead heat to me, and WP is just a kickass jam

are you for real?

The lyrics to Masters of War are much more powerful. War Pigs is just anti-war in general, but MOW is directed at the people who create weapons. I think I read in an interview somewhere where Dylan said he shocked himself with the closing lyric.

masters of war has all the subtlety of, say, a black sabbath song.

This is true, but it doesn't change what I said.

honestly, I wouldn't dare attempt to refute an argument as powerful as "this song is more powerful because it is aimed at a more specific group of people."

I like "Masters of War", especially when PJ does it, but I prefer "War Pigs".

Well, I didn't exactly say that. But yes...it is a much bigger and more interesting position to attack the people who created wepaons than say "hey, war sucks, ya know?"

Additionally, the Sabbath song uses the same metaphors that are used in many Sabbath songs. The lyrics to MOW may not be subtle, but the overall production of it, the fact that's just him and a guitar and realizing that it is a very personal theme make the song more powerful.

I take it you like War Pigs more?