PJ Harvey - On Battleship Hill 

Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight. Fight war, Not Wars.

As Australians, we were brought up on the mythology of Gallipoli. Battleship Hill was a particular slaughterhouse in that foolish Churchillian enterprise, in which I lost several ancestors. I think there are three songs on the album that refer to the Anzac experience and as a result I find the whole album very powerful. Plus, this song in particular is a thing of beauty.

I believe that this song is one of the most deeply moving songs I have ever heard and I never tire of hearing it. There is a captivating restraint in the lyrics and the suggestion is enough to convey the most powerful message. For me, this piece is one of PJ Harvey's most exceptional pieces and I am in awe that a human being was given the gifts to bring this song to the exquisite state that it was released to the world. I can't imagine how she can possibly improve but I wait with baited breathe

One of the greatest songs ever recorded. Really.

The horrors of war captured so beautifully in a song. What a gem! You are amazing Polly Jean.

The most beautiful work of Polly Jean. My great uncle, whom I never met, never married because he had his arm blown off and his face destroyed, he was so ashamed of his appearance. And yet he wrote he wrote the most soulful poetry from the trenches. Poor man, such a waste

Around 3 mins in, the piano. ALWAYS makes me cry.

It's hard to put your finger on what makes this so British, i think it's the sadness, the weariness and weight of history on the landscape. I know this isn't unique to Britain but she's captured it perfectly. It is beautiful.

Wow a real amazing creation by Polly jean Harvey. Glad real music is still being made thanks to real artists like Polly jean

batlleship hill is my homeland where my grand grand father burried his joy along with his fellows in return of a shrapnel in his knee. such a great song about the place where the sun started to set for the great empire of britain. r.i.p. bedri dede.

My tears are real. Without understanding the context to the fullest, just the emotions do it.

best album of the decade will be remembered as a masterpiece because thats exactly what it is

Watching the knuckle dragging England fans after the final brought me here, again. I've been coming back to this song every week since it was released. The heartfelt sentiment, sadness and pain is remarkable. The album, for me is the ultimate love torn letter to England. It's an sublime collection of songs.

Man, THAT descending 🎹piano🎹 line... So beautiful... This is one of those rare songs that brings a tear to my eye. Not many that can do that either.

Everything Flood (the producer) touches becomes timeless, no matter what genre. He is the unsung hero of so many great albums. Fun fact: The name “Flood” was first bestowed on Mark Ellis in his late teens, when he was a runner for London’s Morgan Studios. Depending on who you ask, it was in reference to either A) his constant brewing of tea for the studio’s staff and clients B) his constant spilling of said tea, or C) his relentless work ethic. (His counterpart, another runner with an opposite disposition, was said to have been nicknamed “Drought”).

Its so encouraging that other people feel the same..... nobody really understands my fascination with the talent of PJ Harvey. I guess she is an acquired taste but once tasted, you know what you have experienced......

I’m crying because this song is so beautiful, hurt and depressed. I can listen it and Let England Shake album till I die...

I don't know what category in to put this lady... its just that she comes from a special place and once in a while i listen to her magic and imagine what she is up to...

this song must be one of the most English things to ever exist. I always saw it as a perfect description of the English existence, an anthem even.

This video is pretty much perfect. The last few shots blew me away - the family with the same aquamarine eyes, from the old man's eyes which have seen a lifetime, to the children who have yet to see it, have yet to make the same mistakes - the ferris wheel keeps turning. Cruel nature has won again.

I want to hear this in a huge tunnel.

this is pure, utter, raw, passionate art. Thank you for sharing this with us

Might be her best song so far.

Polly has her family members in this one and the hill is near Bridport Dorset. Great artist that's helped me get through this covid crises listening to such great tunes .

my Queen

Every PJ Harvey album has THAT moment, when I'm captivated and I'm just drawn into this world that she paints. ON Battleship Hill was the moment that I forgot she was using an odd voice and realised that she was singing perfectly. I've been to Gallipoli and I didn't feel lingering hate, just sadness amongst that beautiful spot. Anyway, Polly Jean, you are a genius and I'm glad I finally discovered your music.

she's a true artist. I love this album

Sadness, remembrance, and truth. Cruel nature has won again

one of the most beautiful songs i´ve ever heard....

Polly jeans voice sounds so stunning

Amazing song I met PJ Harvey at a train station she is amazing as well.

all songs on Let England Shake are amazing, but this one is something outstanding

This song u made 12 years ago is the only song that can be used to describe what is happening in Ukraine these 9 years gone by. So I took my freedom to share it on web dedicating it to Ukraines and the Russians on the battlefield...that we in the west created for them. It´s a stunning piece your voice the rhythm the melody and the sadness of our cruel nature when we let this side win and when we let this side be used on battlefield. Thank you JP this song is a classic a piece of truth.

boy this hits hard giving the current events.

I love the pun on Thyme/Time throughout this song. What a beautiful tribute.

I know they say no one's perfect, but it's a lie. PJ Harvey is.

This just makes me cry. Cruel, Cruel nature.

i want to upvote this twice

On Battleship Hill PJ Harvey The scent of thyme carried on the wind, Stings my face into remembering Cruel nature has won again. Cruel nature has won again. On Battleship Hill's caved in trenches, A hateful feeling still lingers, Even now, eighty years later. Cruel nature. Cruel, cruel nature. The land returns to how it has always been. Thyme carried on the wind. Jagged mountains, jutting out, Cracked like teeth in a rotten mouth. On Battleship Hill I hear the wind, Say "Cruel nature has won again." Cruel nature has won again. Cruel nature has won again. Cruel nature has won again. Songwriters: Polly Harvey On Battleship Hill lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Thanks for all Polly ,keep going !

i LOVE YOU PJ!

The film called "The Patrol" brought me here. Superb song. Also, I know exactly where the first 30s was filmed, btw.

Suena a poesía ese piano deslizándose casi en el eco del silencio. Toca mi alma y siento un beso de alguien que se fue pero nunca muere. Casi esa sensación de respirar el aire de húmedo de la mañana que impregna el verde campo de colinas.

Pure genius/talented/open minded work 😮

Wow, you've perfectly articulated how I feel about this song. The lyrics and melody are so subtle but so powerful and evocative. I think it might be the best song she's ever written, and one of the best songs I've ever heard for that matter.

Masterpiece 💙💙💙

Is it nature? I see nature as the birds and animals. This is human nature and that is astoundingly wrong. Love this song

i LOVE PJ Harvey! She and a rare few others like her still give Rock music a reason to exist.

2023 🎖️🏰⚔️

Du talent a l'état pur. Une merveille de composition. Impossible pour moi de me lasser d'un tel chef-d’œuvre,écoute après écoute... Cela se dirige direct dans mes entrailles a chaque fois,et cela me va bien.

Love it.

IT lingers like the frosty morning dew,, well done MISS Harvey

My God, her voice is positively chilling on this song. She sounds divine and mournful.

I can't listen to a PJ Harvey song without tearing up, from start to end.

It’s criminal how low the count for this video is. This song is incredibly beautiful

incredible how we can be in nature and the land and appreciate its beauty and never know the horrors or the painful associations our predecessors may have with the very same soil. When I visited Budapest the past oppressions were still there. you could feel it In the people, buildings, in the air.

Let England Shake!!

I cannot find the right words to express my admiration!💚

Amazingly and hauntingly beautiful! PJ Harvey is a truly creative artist.

When I hear this song, especially with this video, I feel like a veteran had written it. The feeling given off by the song and voice truly reminds us of what veterans may feel lingering with them...

Greetings from Hungary. Let us never forget.

such a beautiful song

I would love to see this paired with footage from Peter Jackson’s WW1 footage film.

this song is so poignant, and the definition of beautiful. Probably PJ's crowning achievement.

I know exactly what you mean. I listen to "White Chalk" as a lullaby to fall asleep at night, and to "Uh Huh Her" or "To Bring You My Love" to wake up in the morning. I find her voice on this one to be really soothing as well, yet "Let England Shake" as a whole I find very energising! :)

The scent of thyme...

so good

ça me fait plaisir de voir que je ne suis pas le seul à rentrer en transe avec cette chanson, elle est incroyable. Un chef d'oeuvre.

Przecudownej urody utwór.⚓🐈

I agree, I oscillate between my favorite songs on this album and haven't listened to an album in my life that I am still hungry to listen to again and again, such a unique sublime experience - bridging between art and music in a way that has been forgotten mostly in 2012/13. She will go down in history and deservedly so......... with the greats.

No offence PJ but I use this song as a lullaby for my 7 month old daughter. She really loves your voice and so do I :-)

I just saw this beautiful production at the Bournemouth Arts Festival. It is unnervingly moving, she is very much a poet much more than a popular songstress. Extra flavour was provided by the fact that it was shown in the Vintage Mobile Cinema - a converted bus!

J'adore ce clip et cette artiste...une merveille.

My dream is travel to this awesome places of the video, Polly thank you so much for your art. Best wishes from Brazil.

I love the man in the beginning.

Thank you, Polly. In your music I feel the salty breeze of the Atlantic Ocean. I have never been there, but now I know its taste. Thank you.

This song is a master piece. Everything about it is so perfect, the vocals, the piano and just over all the arrangement.

I think it is simply a brilliant song; so very subtle though with a clear message; a true classic song.

Cruel nature has won again (2022) …

When hello by Adele has a billion views and this masterpiece has 450k you know there is something wrong with the world

Such a great track, could play it on repeat .

Sweet piano solo.

oh god what an album just leaves cry of its perfection.

This woman is a fucking genius.

A big song of a perfect album of the most amazing artist that I know.

I need to see PJ Harvey live before I die.

Love this song!! Beautiful..

fantastic! so touching and thoughtful

She is the queen of the dark side of human nature.

The four boys at the end have the eyes of PJ, maybe her 4 nephews she speaks of?

Chef d’oeuvre. J’ai longtemps écouté cette chanson

Beautiful melancholy

I know older lps of PJ not this one. Astonishing. Saw cd version for 5 euro. Will get it for sure

Beautifull, masterpiece

Love Love Love !!!!!!

Haunting but beautiful...

Enjoying this, nice one polly.

I'm in love with her.

My god!!!! An amazing song writer!!!! :))))

That is one amazing singing perfornance.