Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" Is the Libertarian Anthem We Need

It just doesn't get any better than this

The 1960s produced a plethora of anti-establishment and anti-war songs. Bob Dylan alone recorded several albums’ worth. But it wasn’t until 1970 that the ultimate love child of rock ‘n roll and the minarchist ethos was born.

I’m referring, of course, to “War Pigs” a song that not only decries the arrogance of politicians, and mourns the horrors of armed conflict, but imagines Satan himself delivering the globe’s entire collection of authoritarian psychopaths their just deserts.

If there’s any image that can warm the heart of Europeans freezing in their homes because of the West’s proxy war against Russia, or bring comfort to those who have suffered injury or loss from the genocidal policies implemented in the name of COVID, it is the one conjured by Ozzy Osbourne and his merry band: a gigantic Prince of Darkness (I tend to picture the one from “Night on Bald Mountain” in the original “Fantasia”), showing human monsters what monstrosity really is.

The protest songs of the 1960s were earnest and pensive. “War Pigs” is neither. It is retributive and unapologetically belligerent - not in the name of human vengeance, because in the human realm, War Pigs reign supreme - but in the name of divine, supernatural justice.

No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of Judgment, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercies for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings

“War Pigs” promises us a judgment day when those who use their authority for their benefit and our detriment will pay for their sins. And whether you consider yourself to be spiritual or not, that’s a message we can all believe in.