Lyrics
There's a new wave on the way
Anticipation of change or a new movement arriving.
There's a new mood on the street
A shift in the prevailing mood among people.
And there's talk of Armageddon
References a sense of impending catastrophe or doom.
Under the breasts on page three
Mention of Armageddon in a tabloid (page three).
And they're singing shitty songs
Criticism of superficial or uninspired songs.
About staying in bed all day
Disdain for songs promoting laziness or apathy.
While the terraces say "Go home"
Contrast between societal expectations and individual desires.
Mother, I did what you said
Conflict between conforming to parental advice and facing personal suffering and stagnation.
Mother, I tried to be plain
-Mother, I tried to fit in
-I tried to win at their game, game
-But father, what can I say?
-When all I'm given is pain
-While all I'm given is lame
-When all I'm given is same, same, same?
-See, it's getting kind of gwily up in here
Expression of difficulties faced by someone not conforming to societal norms, particularly a person of color.
For a dark skinned boy that doesn't play by the rules
-And it's getting kind of raw up in here
-Got me thinking and hoping and dreaming
-While England burns
A call for radical change symbolized by England's destruction to rebuild anew.
Let England burn so we can start again, oh
-There's a cancer in their hearts
Expressions of anger and rebellion against established institutions and societal norms, advocating for their destruction.
Metastasize on message boards
-Still they're rounding up the young
-And polluting all their forts
-Burn the churches and the rules
-Burn the House of Lords too
-Desecrate the cenotaph
-Burn the prisons and the schools
-I don't believe what they say
Rejecting prevailing narratives of the society, expressing a lack of safety and belonging for certain groups (e.g., minorities).
There can be no other way
-There can be nothing to gain
-There can be nothing but hate
-I'm like, "Okay none of our children are safe
-None of the darkies can play
-None of the darkies can stay
-It was never for us, it was never our home anyway"
-See, it's getting kind of jank up in here
Highlighting challenges faced by outspoken and distrusted youth, especially those who challenge the status quo.
For the mistrust youth, 'dem that like to run their mouth
-See, it's getting kind of moist up in here
-Got me stunting and doping and scheming
-While England burns
Reiteration of the desire for radical change amid ongoing crises (referencing Grenfell).
Let England burn
-While London burns
-As Grenfell burns, can we start again?
-Bring my bow of burning gold
Allusions to historical symbols (e.g., a bow of burning gold, chariot of fire, lion, unicorn) representing power, conflict, and transformation.
Bring me my chariot of fire
-The lion killed the unicorn
-And threw his carcass on the pyre
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