The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death
Smiles Masking Suffering: Unveiling the Dark Satire in The Housemartins' Anthem
Lyrics
They smiled so much and waved their flags
People enthusiastically supported their country, waving flags.
As she saluted to the military band
A military salute was given by a woman, concealing a broken bottle.
Most of the people failed to see
Many failed to notice the concealed danger.
She had a broken bottle in the other hand
The woman had a hidden weapon in addition to the salute.
And she took them by surprise
The woman surprised them by taking control.
When she took them by the throat
She asserted control forcefully, grabbing them by the throat.
And said "My friend you're not allowed to vote"
She declared their voting rights revoked.
But they shook it all off
Despite the shock, they dismissed it with a nervous laugh.
With a nervous laugh and cough
They shrugged off the incident with laughter and a cough.
"Next time," she said "I'll let those people choke"
The woman hinted at more drastic actions in the future.
The people who grinned themselves to death
The people who lived carefree lives but faced consequences.
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Their constant smiling led to neglecting essential matters.
And even when their kids were starving
Even in hardship, they admired the queen.
They all thought the queen was charming
Despite children suffering, they found the queen charming.
She polished all upon the wall
The queen maintained a polished appearance and combed her hair.
And ran her hands right through her hair
A symbolic act of maintaining appearances.
So if the lady took the time to call
If the lady called, no other houses could compare.
All the houses on the street would not compare
Highlighting the lady's perceived superiority.
And she thought it really funny
The lady found humor in her lack of wealth.
That she hadn't any money
Despite her lack of money, she looked up to those who had.
But those she looked up to, they had
Contrasting the lady's situation with those she admired.
But they shook it all off
Similar to earlier, they laughed off their advantages.
With a nervous laugh and cough
Dismissive reaction to their privilege, laughing and coughing.
And when they took her riches it was sad
When they took her riches, it was a somber event.
The people who grinned themselves to death
Reiteration of the consequences faced by those who ignored reality.
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Their constant smiling led to neglecting essential matters.
And even when their kids were starving
Even in hardship, they admired the queen.
They all thought the queen was charming
Despite children suffering, they found the queen charming.
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