“A League of Notions” by Al Stewart

“A League of Notions” as its title suggests is based on the establishment of The League of Nations following the First World War. In the song, the narrator talks about the Treaty of Versailles which saw nations redraw their borders to suit the agreement.

In the song, the narrator cites T.E. Lawrence, who is popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia. FYI, Lawrence was instrumental in fighting for the Independence of Arabian states. The writer is apparently fascinated by the distribution. At some point, he even likens it to a puzzle being solved by leaders.

Speaking from the perspective of these national leaders, the narrator satirically speculates on how they are going to take certain huge territories and benefit from their resources. Although the League was beneficial to an extent, the writer recalls how it could not prevent the disruption of the world’s peace and security. Simply put, it failed to prevent the Second World War.

“It’s a league of notions”

Summary

This Al Stewart classic covers America and Europe’s failed attempts to form a League of Nations to enhance peace and security on the international front.

“A League Of Notions” Facts

Writing: Al Stewart
Production of Song: Laurence Juber
Album: Stewart’s folk album “Between the Wars”
Release: 8th May, 1995

Was this a single from “Between the Wars”?

No single was released to support “Between the Wars”. That could probably be the reason the project failed commercially.

What was the “League of Nations”?

The League of Nations can best be defined as the forerunner or precursor of today’s today’s United Nations. It was in fact the first major-international organization dedicated to goals such as the following:

• World peace
• Disarmament
• Collective security

The League itself came about in the aftermath of World War I. However, it did not prove as effective as idealized. This was manifest in its inability to achieve a number of vital things. One such thing was attract and retain some powerful members as well as the eventual humanitarian catastrophe known as World War II. And by the end of that conflict, the organization had been replaced by the United Nations.

What genre of music is “A League of Notions”?

It is folk music.