Meaning of "Freedom Never Cries" by Five For Fighting

The lyrics of "Freedom Never Cries" capture the conflicting emotions that arise when considering the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. The act of trading a flag, a symbol of patriotism and national pride, for a broken guitar in a pawn shop symbolizes a sense of detachment or disillusionment with the core values associated with freedom in modern society. The references to watching a man on TV with a gun and a mask, and the speaker not appreciating the soldier until there was a war, highlight the inherent hypocrisy and disconnect between the glorification of war and the devastating consequences it brings. The lines "I only talk to God when somebody's about to die / I never cherished Freedom / Freedom never cries" suggest a sense of regret or remorse for not valuing freedom until faced with its potential loss. The song's closing imagery of a baby on the doorstep longing for a better world, willing to sacrifice for a better future, wraps up the theme of generational responsibility and the hope for a world where the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Overall, "Freedom Never Cries" is a poignant reflection on the true cost of freedom and the need for sincere appreciation and understanding of its value.