This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Margareth Thatcher on TV
Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing
It seems strange that she should be offended
The same orders are given by her
I've said this before now
You said I was childish and you'll say it now
Remember what I told you
If they hated me they will hate you
England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It's the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving
I don't want him to be aware that there's
Any such thing as grieving
Young mother down at Smithfield
5 AM, looking for food for her kids
In her arms she holds three cold babies
And the first word that they learned was "please"
These are dangerous days
To say what you feel is to dig your own grave
Remember what I told you
If you were of the world they would love you
England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It's the home of police who kill blacks boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving
I don't want him to be aware that there's
Any such thing as grieving
Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing
It seems strange that she should be offended
The same orders are given by her
I've said this before now
You said I was childish and you'll say it now
Remember what I told you
If they hated me they will hate you
England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It's the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving
I don't want him to be aware that there's
Any such thing as grieving
Young mother down at Smithfield
5 AM, looking for food for her kids
In her arms she holds three cold babies
And the first word that they learned was "please"
These are dangerous days
To say what you feel is to dig your own grave
Remember what I told you
If you were of the world they would love you
England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It's the home of police who kill blacks boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving
I don't want him to be aware that there's
Any such thing as grieving
Lyrics submitted by xdarkentries, edited by GuanoLoco
Black Boys on Mopeds Lyrics as written by Sinead O'connor
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I absolutely adore both this song by Sinéad O'Connor, and also the Van Morrison song Madame George, to which Ms. O'Connor alludes to in the lyric "England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses". However, what I don't understand is why Sinéad associates Madame George with England or englishness (roses). The location of the rather impressionistic events in Van Morrison's Madame George is firmly around Belfast, Morrisons's birthplace, with its mentions of Cyprus Avenue, Ford and Fitzroy (Avenue?) and Sandy Row, although Dublin is also mentioned "On that train from Dublin up to Sandy Row". There's nothing in the rest of Van's lyrics to indicate that the character Madame George may be English, either. Would love to get an explanation for this.
@satchicenine I registered all these years later to reply to your question, so I have no idea whether you're still around or will ever see this. Yes, Van Morrison was from Northern Ireland, and areas in Belfast are heavily referenced on Astral Weeks, but there's also a significant London presence, as heard in "Slim Slow Slider," significantly the album closer: <br /> <br /> "Saw you walking<br /> Down by the Ladbroke Grove this morning."<br />
@GuanoLoco Thanks for replying. I appreciate that some songs on Astral Weeks allude to places outside of NI & Ireland, like Ladbroke Grove in London, but I don't think Madame George does. For me, Madame George seems to be about Van being at a party in Belfast and feeling out of place and having the need to walk away and move on from the people and places he that shaped him. I love the line on the song Astral Weeks: "Ain't nothing but a stranger in this world", that also reflects this feeling. Admittedly, the album is famously a stream-of-consciousness, so time and place and memories get mixed up.<br /> I've often though that if I was ever fortunate enough to have met Sinéad O'Connor, the first thing I'd have asked her is about her Madam George reference in Black Boys on Mopeds. I'd also have told her that I agree with her that Van's album, 'Veedon Fleece', is equally as good, if not better, than Astral Weeks. (I've read that Veedon Fleece was Sinéad's favourite album). Sadly, recent events mean that my fantasy will never happen.<br /> Rest In Peace, Sinéad.
@satchicenine Yes, I think it revolves more around a word you used yourself: impressionistic. While there are genuine locations scattered throughout Astral Weeks, ultimately it's more a mood than something concrete and tangible. I suspect Sinéad took that aspect and ran with it, conflating the character of Madame George and English roses, even though that might not have been Van Morrison's overt intention. The very sound of the character's name feels English. But sadly, you're right, and we'll never know for certain.