Two great covers of an eerily prophetic classic
In the twenty-plus years since New Order recorded Love Vigilantes for the album Lowlife, the song has taken on a strange, ironic, and very tragic, if not downright prescient, significance - a fact not lost on a few contemporary artists. Below are two recent renderings by some fairly well-regarded acts:
"Love Vigilantes" as recorded by Laura Cantrell
"Love Vigilantes" as recorded by Iron & Wine
Oh I've just come
From the land of the sun
From a war that must be won
In the name of truth
With our soldiers so brave
your freedom we will save
With our rifles and grenades
And some help from God
I want to see my family
My wife and child waiting for me
I've got to go home
I've been so alone, you see
You just can't believe
The joy I did recieve
When I finally got my leave
And I was going home
Oh I flew through the sky
my convictions could not lie
For my country I would die
And I will see it soon
I want to see my family
My wife and child waiting for me
I've got to go home
I've been so alone, you see
When I walked through the door
My wife she lay upon the floor
And with tears her eyes were sore
I did not know why
Then I looked into her hand
And I saw the telegram
That said that I was a brave, brave man
But that I was dead
(Chorus repeats)