Meaning of "The Last Time I Cried" by Chris De Burgh

"The Last Time I Cried" delves into the emotional impact of war and the profound sadness it brings. The opening lines suggest the narrator's solitude, sitting at home late at night, surrounded by shadows and flickering lights. The echoes of war become vivid as he recounts seeing people in the rain, being loaded onto trains by soldiers, their hands gripping the bars with tearful eyes. The repetition of the phrase "Eli Eli lama," evoking Christ's words on the cross, expresses a sense of abandonment by God, as if questioning why such suffering is allowed to persist.

The tone of the song shifts dramatically in the second verse when the narrator holds onto a face, potentially his child's, and sees a reflection of himself in a soldier's smile. This juxtaposition emphasizes the human cost of war and the horrors inflicted on innocent lives, including their own kin. The repetition of "Eli Eli lama," now questioning why God has forsaken him personally, deepens the emotional turmoil faced by the narrator.

Overall, "The Last Time I Cried" focuses on the devastating effects of war on both a global and individual scale. It explores themes of isolation, despair, and the search for meaning in the face of immense suffering. The lyrics suggest the cyclical nature of violence, as the same word, "Eli," has been uttered for centuries without resolution or deliverance.