well if people are writing songs - its usually because they have some thoughts an feelings they wish to express about their lives.

I do not trust people who exclusively sing   about how sad they are for the victims of the press gang, those slain in the first world war, the sailors on The Victory and the victims of pit explosions and the like.

As the recent Kipling thread proves - most of that type privately think warmongers are rather good eggs. It easy to feel sorry for people you can't do anything about. Its called sentimentality - not compassion. take some interest in the poor sods who are sweating under the yoke of our present circumstances.