Jim chose yet another good prompt for Song Lyric Sunday. I came across so many good ones before settling on this old gold tune by U2. I have 3 favorite U2 albums: The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and All That You Can’t Leave Behind. “In God’s Country” is from The Joshua Tree, maybe one of their best known albums.
Wikipedia describes the album:
The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by the Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 3/9/87 by Island Records. In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire, for The Joshua Tree the band aimed for a harder-hitting sound within the limitation of conventional song structures. The album is influenced by American and Irish roots music, and through sociopolitically conscious lyrics embellished with spiritual imagery, it contrasts the group’s antipathy for the “real America” with their fascination with the “mythical America”. The record’s theme was inspired by their experiences in the United States, as well as American literature and politics.
Frequently listed among the greatest albums of all time, The Joshua Tree is one of the world’s best-selling albums as well as U2’s best-selling album, with over 25 million copies sold, including a diamond certification in the U.S. U2 commemorated the record’s 20th anniversary with a remastered re-release, and its 30th anniversary with concert tours and a reissue. In 2014, The Joshua Tree was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Recording Registry, having been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress.
“In God’s Country”
Bono has stated that he originally didn’t know whether the song was about Ireland or the United States, but eventually dedicated it to the Statue of Liberty. The song characterizes the United States as a “desert rose” and a siren whose dress is torn in “ribbons and bows,” a depiction both “sad and seductive”. The lyric speaks of a lack of political ideas in the West which Bono later contrasted to the revolution in Nicaragua where he had traveled during the recording of The Joshua Tree.
In God’s Country
Desert Sky,
Dream beneath a desert sky
The rivers run
But soon run dry
We need new dreams tonight
Desert rose
Dreamed I saw a desert rose
Dress torn in ribbons
And in bows
Like a siren she calls (to me)
Sleep comes like a drug … In God’s country
Sad eyes, crooked crosses … In God’s country
Set me alight
We’ll punch a hole right through the night
Every day the dreamers die
To see what’s on the other side
She is Liberty
And she comes to rescue me
Hope faith, her vanity
The greatest gift is gold
Sleep comes like a drug … In God’s country
Sad eyes, crooked crosses … In God’s country
Naked flame
She stands with a naked flame
I stand with the sons of Cain
Burned by the fire of love
Burned by the fire of love
Songwriter: Bono
Notes in the YouTube caption:
Shot by Barry Devlin in 1987 and featured as part of the film ‘Outside It’s America’ which documents footage from the first US leg of U2’s The Joshua Tree Tour.
After watching the video, I understand what Bono was talking about with the naked flame, which I interpret as the flame burning from the Statue of Liberty. Although video is almost 40 years old, it’s still relevant to current times. Will we ever be able to move beyond endless wars? Will Lady Liberty be able to rest easy and proud one day? Will she find redemption in admitting her past wrongs; wrongs that have led us to this moment in time?
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week, Jim wants us to find and share a song that mentions bare, birthday suit, buff, exposed, liberated, naked, naturist, nude, or skin.
Tao-Talk 
Excellent message in your post, Lisa, and a fabulous song choice. I love this one by U2.
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Was just out running an errand. Guess what CD I’m playing in the car. Thanks, Nancy!
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Very welcome. Enjoy!
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Nice 💐💐
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:)
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I liked U2 well enough before Joshua Tree. I loved them after it. That run of albums through Rattle And Hum, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and All The You Can’t Leave Behind is faultless stadium band evolution.
The biggest and the best to do what they did.
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Steve, I think Joshua Tree was where I started. I’ve since bought the earlier ones but never got into those the way I have with JT and beyond.
I watched Eddie Vedder do a cover of this song last night and he told a hella good story about how he got to see them for $5 back in the day.
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You saw EDDIE last night? Cool!
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On YouTube! lol.
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Fabulous, Li❣️
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<3 :)
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A great song, from a great album 👍
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Indeed, Clive <3
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This album is one of their best and a great track with an important message which as you say, is so relevant today – great choice Lisa 🙌
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Ange, glad you agree, thanks!
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🩷
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Great all round post Lisa, great group, great song, great write up 💜💜
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Willow happy you like <3
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I do
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<3
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What a great song! The video is amazing.
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Sally so happy you enjoyed the song and video :)
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Perfect for the prompt, Li! Good to hear this one again.
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Thanks, Someone!
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A lovely choice, Lisa and Joshua Tree was a monster album with so many great hit songs like, ‘With or Without You’, ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’, and ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’. I am really glad that you dug a little deeper and cam up with this gem. I knew this was going to be a difficult challenge today, and you finding that naked flame signifying the Statue of Liberty is what Song Lyric Sunday is all about.
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Jim thanks much. There seriously is no bad song on it. I read where they thought this was a weak tune and didn’t like it much. It shows how great they are when they think this is a throwaway song.
I am surprised what the naked flame symbolizes but that’s my fault. The link to the doc this video was a part of shows the whole doc. I plan on watching it when I get a moment. I’m going out to the beach with the fam in about an hour. May have to come back later to listen to all of today’s shares.
Thanks for always keeping SLS interesting.
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Have fun at the beach, Lisa and that is our theme for next week.
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Thanks, Jim. I was off by an hour. Son and fam are leaving GR at around 2 so I have a little more time to listen. Lots of good beach songs out there, so cool.
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I friggin’ love every track from The Joshua Tree. As such, I approve of this message! :-)
If I could choose only one, after cycling through many other favorites from that album, today I might pick Red “Hill Mining Town.”
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Christian I love that one also. I love singing along with this album. The band glows with beauty on the album. Would love to see them play it at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
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Me too! :-)
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If you ever hear of it happening, please let me know.
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Will do! Seeing a show at Red Rocks is on my bucket list! 😊
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Yes, it’s a great album by U2. All killers, no fillers
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<3 <3 <3
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U2 is my favorite of all time since the age of 14 when I saw them perform “Bad” at Live Aid. I’ve been mesmerized since. This is a great song choice!
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Kymber, so delighted to hear your personal connection to U2. Thanks. Have you read Bono’s book? He talks about 40 of their songs.
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Yes, I sure have. It was so good. I really enjoyed it.
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This album was everywhere at the time…I really caught on right after it was released…I’m glad I got to see them in the early 90s.
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Max, you are blessed to have seen U2 live. This album certainly got them on my radar, where they have been ever since.
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Yes I am…the album really to get me into them was Rattle and Hum that came right after this…the song Angel of Harlem…which I”m a lone voice…but I think it’s one of the best singles of the eighties…plus it was about Billie Holiday…
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I love that one also, and how Bono prefaces Helter Skelter (I’ve mentioned that a time or two.) I remember seeing a doc where they went to a church and had a choir backing them up but not sure which song(s). Angel of Harlem is in a class by itself. Don’t think I knew it was about Billie Holiday. She’s probably still watching over Harlem…
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Yea…I just fell for that album and single when it was released. That is my favorite album by them. Yea…I love what he said about stealing it back in that Irish accent.
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And at that moment, they did. I forgot there was a whole movie. Here it is:
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I watched it back then…I haven’t seen it since…it’s time! Thanks
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The Joshua Tree is one of my favorite albums. People were putting it on at parties and playing it straight through. It was good enough to “trust” with any crowd back then.
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Glad to know you’re a fan, Bruce.
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My first introduction to U2 was because my dad loved them, so this brought back some really special memories! I love your analysis of the song; it really makes you think about what each line might mean.
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Alex, I’ve never come across a better songwriter than Bono. You are right in thinking every line means something. He is very meticulous about that. I’m glad you and your dad have/had a connection to each other through the band.
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Actually I don’t remember hearing this one before. I liked it from the first, as it is the ‘U2 sound’ which is good, every time I hear it. Good lyrics :)
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Barbara, glad to introduce you to the song and glad you feel it fits into their sound. Yes on the lyrics :)
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