The Few
Unveiling England's Shadows: Billy Bragg's Commentary on Nationalism
Lyrics
At night the baby brotherhood and the inter city crew
Reference to a group called the baby brotherhood and inter city crew.
Fill their pockets up with calling cards
They collect calling cards and engage in activities.
And paint their faces red white and blue
They display patriotism with face paint in national colors.
Then they go out seeking different colored faces
They actively look for people of different races to intimidate.
And anyone else that they can scare
They target and scare anyone they can.
And they salute the foes their fathers fought
They salute the enemies their fathers fought by raising their hands.
By raising their right hands in the air
Commentary on misguided patriotism and aggression.
Oh look how my country's patriots are hunting down below
Observation of the misguided actions of country's patriots.
What do they know of England who only England know
Critique of those who claim to know England without understanding it.
From the stands of the empire stadium
Reference to the empire stadium, symbolizing past imperial glory.
Come the heralds of the new dark age
Pessimistic outlook on the future, labeled as a new dark age.
With the simplicities of bigotry
Mention of bigotry as a simple belief system.
And to whom all the world's a stage
View that these individuals see the world as a performance.
These little john bullshits know that the press
Belief that the press will glorify their actions.
Will glorify their feats
Public fear is fueled by media coverage.
So that the general public fear them
Authorities support their actions by giving them attention.
And the authorities say give 'em all seats
Sarcastic commentary on giving them seats as a reward.
And the wasted seed of the bulldog breed
Reference to the misguided offspring of the patriotic breed.
Is shouting here we go
Expression of enthusiasm for misguided actions.
What do they know of England who only England know
Reiteration that those who only know England misunderstand it.
Our neighbors shake their heads
Neighbors disapprove of their actions.
And take their valuables inside
People protect their belongings due to potential trouble.
While my countrymen piss in the fountains
People urinate in fountains to express national pride ironically.
To express our national pride
Assertion that England is as rotten as it appears.
And to prove to the world that England
They repeat false narratives learned in history books.
Is just as rotten as she looks
Recognition that the portrayed image of England is flawed.
They repeat the lies that caught their eyes
The lies shape their understanding of history.
At school in history books
Reference to the impact of false historical narratives.
But the wars they think they're fighting
The wars they believe in are already concluded.
Were all over long ago
Recognition of the ignorance about historical events.
What do they know of England who only England know
Reiteration of misunderstanding England by only knowing England.
And the society that spawned them
Critique of the society that gives rise to such individuals.
Just cries out who's to blame?
Questioning who is responsible for the current state.
And then wraps itself in the union jack
Society covers itself in the national flag and continues the same path.
And just carries on the same
Indication that nothing changes despite societal reflection.
Oh look out my country's patriots are hunting down below
Observation of misguided patriots continuing their actions.
What do they know of England who only England know
Reiteration that understanding England requires more than superficial knowledge.
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