A Criminal of Me
Legacy Unraveled: A Tale of Rebellion and Redemption
Lyrics
My great Grandpa was a king, a monarch stout and noble.
Describes the speaker's great-grandfather as a noble king.
He surveyed this land so green, and he said "She's fair and humble".
Expresses admiration for the green land and its humility.
As far as the eye can see, from Carrauntooil to Giant's Causeway was ours,
Highlights the vastness of their territory from Carrauntooil to Giant's Causeway.
Until they went and made a criminal of me.
Reveals a shift in fortune, as the speaker becomes a criminal.
Many a Celtic head had rolled, and rolled upon the hillside,
Refers to Celtic heads rolling, possibly indicating conflict and violence.
And they bathed their horses hooves in Hibernian blood and their hide.
Describes bathing horses in Hibernian blood, suggesting a gruesome scene.
In exile they did flee, and set up a church and home there,
Mentions exile, establishing a new home, until criminality disrupts it.
'till the landlord and the bailiff made it criminality.
Attributes criminality to landlords and bailiffs.
Oh, and on the road they came to run, run until the runnin's done.
Describes running away from oppression.
Run far away from fettered chain, the land was ours to barter.
Emphasizes the value of land and the struggle against oppression.
We succumb from sweat and strain, and look they're right behind again.
Indicates a continuous struggle and pursuit.
If they catch me boys, I know they'll make a criminal of me.
Expresses the fear of being labeled a criminal.
A criminal of me, a criminal of me.
Repeats the fear of becoming a criminal, emphasizing the consequences.
Wandering forever, hungering eternally.
Reflects on perpetual wandering and hunger.
A criminal of me, a criminal of me.
Reiterates the fear of criminality, urging escape.
Run, run, before they make a criminal of me.
Encourages running away before being labeled a criminal.
Across the sea they sailed, to a land both bright and noble.
Describes sailing across the sea to escape hardship.
For they'd watched their neighbors starve, and the bloodline as it fumbled.
References watching neighbors starve and the importance of bloodline.
As they reached the safer side, ole Papa said to Jimmy,
Quotes advice to live a life to avoid criminality.
To try and live a life so they'd not make a criminal of he.
Highlights the responsibility to live a non-criminal life.
"Go be alert," sad Da, "do not perish for the gentry."
Advises being alert and not perishing for the elite.
Tho' poor but proud was he, whenever they called discretely,
Portrays pride in poverty and resistance against discreet oppression.
Well he'd smash their faces in and in gaol he died poorly.
Describes resisting authority even at the cost of imprisonment.
"But," he said, "don't let them try and make a criminal of ye."
Warns against being labeled a criminal despite resistance.
Oh, now my boss he steps so gay, so gaily up the street,
Contrasts the carefree life of the boss with the struggles of the speaker.
While I dull the pain in pubs and still can't afford to eat.
Expresses the pain of poverty and inability to afford basic needs.
He is dashing, he is fancy and he'll never want you see.
Describes the boss as dashing but reflective of the criminal within.
Evan as the factory shuts his shoes reflect the criminal in me.
Links the factory shutting down with the reflection of criminality.
Violent and drunk now in the street with nothing to sustain me,
Describes a violent and drunk state in the street.
I'm gonna die here in this hole. The kids I can't take care of with me.
Expresses a sense of hopelessness and impending death.
But it must be taught to let the blame and hatred out of their heads.
Advocates letting go of blame and hatred to avoid a tragic fate.
For anger and danger make you just another pathetic, drunken, violent paddy dead.
Connects anger and danger to a negative outcome for the speaker.
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