In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
If you can play on the fiddle
How's about a British jig and reel?
Speaking King's English in quotation
As railhead towns feel the steel mills rust
Water froze
In the generation
Clear as winter ice
This is your paradise
There ain't no need for ya
There ain't no need for ya
Go straight to hell, boys, go straight to hell, boys
Wanna join in a chorus
Of the Amerasian blues?
When it's Christmas out in Ho Chi Minh City
Kiddie say papa papa papa papa pappa-san, take me home
See me got
Photo photo photograph of you and mamma mamma mamma-san
Of you and mamma mamma mamma-san
Let me tell you 'bout your blood, bamboo kid
It ain't Coca-Cola, it's rice
Straight to hell
Go straight to hell boys
Go straight to hell
Go straight to hell boys
Oh Papa-san
Please take me home
Oh Papa-san
Everybody, they wanna go home
So Mamma-san says
You want to play mind-crazed banjo
On the druggy-drag ragtime U.S.A.?
In Parkland International
Ha, junkie-dom U.S.A
Where pro-caine proves the purest rock man groove
And rat poison
The volatile Molotov says
Straight to hell
Can you really cough it up loud and strong?
The immigrants, they wanna sing all night long
It could be anywhere
Most likely could be any frontier any hemisphere
In no-man's-land
There ain't no asylum here
King Solomon he never lived 'round here
Straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Oh, papa-san, please take me home
How's about a British jig and reel?
Speaking King's English in quotation
As railhead towns feel the steel mills rust
Water froze
In the generation
Clear as winter ice
This is your paradise
There ain't no need for ya
There ain't no need for ya
Go straight to hell, boys, go straight to hell, boys
Wanna join in a chorus
Of the Amerasian blues?
When it's Christmas out in Ho Chi Minh City
Kiddie say papa papa papa papa pappa-san, take me home
See me got
Photo photo photograph of you and mamma mamma mamma-san
Of you and mamma mamma mamma-san
Let me tell you 'bout your blood, bamboo kid
It ain't Coca-Cola, it's rice
Straight to hell
Go straight to hell boys
Go straight to hell
Go straight to hell boys
Oh Papa-san
Please take me home
Oh Papa-san
Everybody, they wanna go home
So Mamma-san says
You want to play mind-crazed banjo
On the druggy-drag ragtime U.S.A.?
In Parkland International
Ha, junkie-dom U.S.A
Where pro-caine proves the purest rock man groove
And rat poison
The volatile Molotov says
Straight to hell
Can you really cough it up loud and strong?
The immigrants, they wanna sing all night long
It could be anywhere
Most likely could be any frontier any hemisphere
In no-man's-land
There ain't no asylum here
King Solomon he never lived 'round here
Straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Go straight to hell, boys
Oh, papa-san, please take me home
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after reading a lot about this song I think I finally get it. Okay, so it is simply about Amerasian kids fathered by US soldiers during the Vietnam war. The verses showcase the despair that these children go through, not being accepted by either side, american or vietnamese. The "There ain't no need for ya/Go straight to hell boys" part is to the soldiers who fathered the kids then neglected them, telling them that there is no need for them doing things like that , and that they should go "straight to hell" for their actions.
@Icheadle1990 <br /> <br /> Yes you recognize the despair of the Amerasian kids feel when rejected by both sides of their families. Gentle writer, your interpretation lets them off with going to hell just for their actions. Three million children born out-of-wedlock between 1950-1970, in the USA were placed secretly in (closed) adoptions. DNA testing and social media has enabled many to find their first parents. Unfortunately rejection happens here too. One adoptee that contacted her father was literally told "we have no need of you". In the song ,"Go straight to hell" applies to a child who exists that isn't supposed to. It isn't what they did--it is what they are. I like to think the Clash was saying the same to the soldiers and their American ways. I hope your interpretation is right.