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[edit] Land of the midnight Sun

There is nothing in the song that indicates that Roland is specifically from Norway, its just as probable that he is from Sweden. Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_the_midnight_sun

Actually, the song mentions him being "Norway's bravest son." --Musicnaut 10:40, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Regarding the Historical Perspective:

You write that Zevon used some poetic license regarding the dates; I wonder if it was meant more to emphasize the "hidden" nature of some of the operations that _must_ have been going on, especially with CIA involvement. Of course, I can't prove any of that; but isn't that the point?

I had always believed that this song was a modern reworking of The Song of Roland, the French epic poem. Does anyone else share this opinion, or think it holds up enough to be added to the entry as a possible inspiration for the song? - Troutmasquerade

I'm looking for references to that effect, as I've heard this was the case as well. So far: [1] --Davecampbell 23:20, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Mercenaries

The paragraph about mercenaries toward the end seems a bit of a digression - one which I'm happy to contribute to on this page. ;-) Perhaps some note ought to be taken of some of the "contractors" employed in Iraq. --Davecampbell 23:46, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

Total different situation and any reference would be a biased reach at best.Towers84 20:59, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sarcasm

I think the article describes the song as far too heroic in nature. I'm pretty sure the meaning of the song is actually pretty sarcastic on a lot of levels - Roland is actually a pretty despicable figure, which I think is the actual point of the song. Think of the last few lyrics:

Roland the headless Thompson gunner... The eternal Thompson gunner still wandering through the night Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun and bought it

I think the article should be edited to make the ambiguous and often sarcastic nature of the song more obvious. Thoughts? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.177.41.209 (talk) 16:59, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

Bought "it". as the idea, or "bought it" , as in "bought the farm"? Zevon often uses puns. Pustelnik (talk) 00:05, 3 April 2008 (UTC)

Also perhaps a reference to the Hearst Millions (billions?)? Why not? Carptrash (talk) 02:14, 3 April 2008 (UTC)