Elvis Sang Irish Political Songs

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Tramp The Dirt Down

I saw a newspaper picture from the political campaign
A woman was kissing a child, who was obviously in pain
She spills with compassion, as that young child's face in her hands she grips
Can you imagine all that greed and avarice coming down on that child's lips
Well I hope I don't die too soon
I pray the Lord my soul to save
Oh I'll be a good boy, I'm trying so hard to behave
Because there's one thing I know, I'd like to live long enough to savour
That's when they finally put you in the ground
I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down

When England was the whore of the world
Margeret was her madam
And the future looked as bright and as clear as the black tarmacadam
Well I hope that she sleeps well at night, isn't haunted by every tiny detail
Cos when she held that lovely face in her hands all she thought of was betrayal

And now the cynical ones say that it all ends the same in the long run
Try telling that to the desperate father who just squeezed the life from his only son
And how it's only voices in your head and dreams you never dreamt
Try telling him the subtle difference between justice and contempt
Try telling me she isn't angry with this pitiful discontent
When they flaunt it in your face as you line up for punishment
And then expect you to say "Thank you" straighten up, look proud and pleased
Because you've only got the symptoms, you haven't got the whole disease
Just like a schoolboy, whose head's like a tin-can filled up with dreams then poured down the drain
Try telling that to the boys on both sides, being blown to bits or beaten and maimed
Who takes all the glory and none of the shame

Well I hope you live long now, I pray the Lord your soul to keep
I think I'll be going before we fold our arms and start to weep
I never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheap
'Cos when they finally put you in the ground
They'll stand there laughing and tramp the dirt down

The unique talents of Elvis Costello son of Ireland

I think the student can safely assume that for at a period at least, Elvis Costello did not care too much for Mrs Thatcher.

Personally do not care for the thought of anyone's grave being tramped upon, but this is Elvis's art, his way of getting over the sheer hate many Irish in Ireland or (in Elvis's case) of Irish emigrant heritage in Britain, had for Mrs Maggie Thatcher.

I guess that historians will eventually generally conclude that Thatcher was a bit of a Bullshit merchant. Like all flag waivers not the least bit genuinely patriotic, they are just selfish people who expect others to fit in with their ideas. Thatcher was happy for others to be the ones sacrificing for her ambitions and personal glory. But Thatcher never had any genuine love for people of community, she loved only the BS symbolism.

Did Thatcher not auction off Britain by piece meal, sold to the global share buyers for the highest bid. Thatcher even sold off the water supply to foreign companies.

Sad thing is Ireland voted in people who thought Thatcher had great politics for the economy.
Thatcher was the woman who was convinced that there was no such thing as society or community.
Thatcher was the 'Mother of a son who was regarded by the Judge of the country he was financing an invasion of, as a (I think the word is) 'a common terrorist'.
Thatcher needed the sons and daughters of this mirage society and community to go and fight wars for her notions of a no community highest bidder takes all world of flag patriotism.

So I think in the future if not now, Elvis Costello will be forgiven by many for this song about "that auld whore from number 10" as Christy Moore would say

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Irish Forums Message Discussion :: Elvis Sang Irish Political Songs

Elvis Sang Irish Political Songs