| Thin Lizzy – Dublin [*] Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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One of Phil's more underrated lyrics IMO. It describes his mixed feelings about the band's move to London in January 1971. The image of Phil laughing and joking with his bandmates while saying goodbye to their nearest and dearest and then later crying in private hints at the reservedness of the Irish character - generally we are not a people comfortable at displaying our true emotions publicly. At the time the song was written, Derby Square was one of the last 18th century tenement yards left in Dublin. It would have been associated with unsanitary living conditions and poverty and my take is that here it represents the age-old grind of daily life for the disadvantaged in the city, in contrast to the affluence and youthful promise of Grafton Street, then as now, considered among the wealthiest and trendiest of the city's thoroughfares. I chose this song for a homework assignment for which I had to translate a poem or song about Dublin into Spanish. So on the very off chance that somebody someday needs a Spanish translation of this, I'll post mine here: Después nuestra relación Juré que saldría Dublín Y en ésa linea He dejado atrás Los años, las lágrimas, los recuerdos Y tú En Dublín A los muelles, amigos vienen y nos dicen adiós Nos reímos, bromeamos y fumamos Y luego, en el barco Lloré por ti En Dublín Comó puedo salir la ciudad Que me deprime Que no tiene empleos Está bendecida por Dios Y me hace llorar Dublín Y en el mar Con el cabello suelto Pensé en Dublín En Grafton Street y Derby Square Y en la gente de quíen me preocupo En ti En Dublín. |
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| Cornershop – Sleep On The Left Side Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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My interpretation of this bit: "To jeer on Green Goddesses, local dignitaries and Labour Councillors Always in touch by way of the community organ We were about to be orphaned" is that it's a reference to the 'Winter of Discontent' of 1978/79 in Britain. Practically all the public services went on strike. It ended in a General Election in which Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party came to power. Those of a left-wing leaning would claim she tore the heart out of many communities in Britain. For me this section is a childhood reminiscence of that period. The 'Green Goddesses' were old fire engines used by the Army. They covered for the normal fire service when they were on strike as in this period, hence the Green Goddesses on the streets. The Labour Councillors were local Government representatives of the ruling coalition, being jeered because of the state the country was in. 'We were about to be orphaned' refers to the coming of Thatcher. |
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| Ben Folds – From Above Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I agree in general with the interpretations here. However anybody that has ever heard the magnificent Tom Waits song 'Martha' would instantly realise that this is intended as a companion piece, written about the two people that Tom and Martha each married (rather than each other as was 'meant to be'). Whilst Waits' song is subjective, this is objective - hence it being 'so easy from above'. If you're not familiar with 'Martha', I recommend you check it out because: a) You'll instantly see the connection to this song and b) It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written. http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/50509/ |
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