Song analysis

'War pigs' by Black Sabbath is a classic heavy metal song with a powerful message and emotion behind each of the lyrics. The song released during a time of war in Vietnam and the lyrics directly spoke out against the on-going conflict and against war as a whole.  The name 'War Pigs' was derived from its original name 'Walpurgis'. This name was taken from 'Walpurgis night' which was the eve of the feast day of Saint Walpurga, who was an English nun who travelled over to Germany with an evangelistic mission. She studied medicine and was praised by many Christians for having successfully warded off many pests, illnesses and even witchcraft. Also known as 'Walpurgisnacht' and 'Night of the Witches', this pagan festival is celebrated with bonfires, singing, and dancing to welcome the coming of spring and, more importantly, to ward off evil spirits and witches. Geezer Butler, the band's bassist and song writer, described Walpurgis night as "a sort of Christmas for Satanists" and when taken to their record company, it was decided that the name of the song sounded too Satanic to be released and so it was slightly altered and became the name 'War Pigs' that we know today. Butler said that, to him, war was "the big Satan" and that the opening line of the song was an important analogy, - 'Generals gathered in their masses / Just like witches at black masses'.

The hidden message of this song actually isn't that hidden at all, and is surprisingly direct with its criticism. The bridge of this song points fingers directly at the figures behind the war, who instil aggression and violence in the world and yet are never directly involved in any conflict and simply watch from afar - 'Politicians hide themselves away' - while they leave the country's people, their own electors, to resolve their problems for them - 'They leave that role to the poor'. The song persists in attacking those in power again and again with lines, - 'They only started the war' and 'Why should they go out to fight?' - highlighting the idea that the political systems are corrupt and unjust and change needs to be enforced. The band further escalates their criticism in the following verse, when they call out the political figures in power and call them pigs - 'No more war pigs have the power'. This draws attention to the idea that these people are ridden with greed and a lust for power.

The end of the song revolves around the idea of judgement day - 'Day of judgement, God is calling'. At the penultimate line, those in power are portrayed as crawling on their knees and begging mercy from God himself - 'On their knees, the war pigs crawling / begging mercy for their sins'. This, in a way, creates a sense of hope in that the minds behind conflict will eventually get what they deserve and justice will be served to all those who have suffered at their hand.