Meaning of "Saigon Bride" by Joan Baez

The lyrics of "Saigon Bride" by Joan Baez are a poignant reflection on the senselessness of war and the cost of human lives that it extracts. The singer bids farewell to their Saigon bride, heading out to confront the endless tide of conflict that seems to have no end. The repetition of the lines reinforces the cyclical nature of violence and war, questioning how many dead men it will take to build a dike that will not break, or how many children must be sacrificed to achieve a dubious goal. The lyrics paint a grim picture of a world where war seems inevitable and the sacrifices made seem to have no real purpose. The reference to building Pharaoh's tombs and conquering Mars serve to highlight the endless quest for power and dominance that characterizes human history. Overall, the song serves as a powerful anti-war statement, urging listeners to think about the true cost of conflict and the need for peace.