This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
We had no way of staying afloat
We had to leave on the ferry boat
Economic refugees
On the run to Germany
We had the back of Maggie's hand
Times were tough in geordieland
We got work tools and working gear
And humped it all from Newcastle to here
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
We're the nomad tribes, traveling boys
In the dust and dirt and the racket and the noise
Drills and hammers, diggers and picks
Mixing concrete, laying bricks
There's English, Irish, Scots, the lot
United nation's what we've got
Brickies, chippies, every trade
German building, British-made
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Nae more work on Maggie's farm
Hadaway down the autobahn
Mine's a portacabin bed
Or a bunk in a nissen hut instead
There's plenty Deutschmarks here to earn
And German tarts are wunderschoen
German beer is chemical-free
Germany's alreet with me
Sometimes I miss my river Tyne
But you're my pretty Fraulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep work spirit levels high
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
We had to leave on the ferry boat
Economic refugees
On the run to Germany
We had the back of Maggie's hand
Times were tough in geordieland
We got work tools and working gear
And humped it all from Newcastle to here
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
We're the nomad tribes, traveling boys
In the dust and dirt and the racket and the noise
Drills and hammers, diggers and picks
Mixing concrete, laying bricks
There's English, Irish, Scots, the lot
United nation's what we've got
Brickies, chippies, every trade
German building, British-made
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Nae more work on Maggie's farm
Hadaway down the autobahn
Mine's a portacabin bed
Or a bunk in a nissen hut instead
There's plenty Deutschmarks here to earn
And German tarts are wunderschoen
German beer is chemical-free
Germany's alreet with me
Sometimes I miss my river Tyne
But you're my pretty Fraulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep work spirit levels high
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song is actually about the British comedy/ drama series "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet", about a group of labourers in the early 1980s (principaly Geordies, but also a scouser, a cockney, a brummie and a bloke from the West Country). Having been hit pretty hard by Thatcherism, the group head off to find temporary employment in Germany (and subseqently all over the world). Although the song was used for season three of the series, Knopfler wrote the song of his own volition - being himself a citizen of Newcastle, the concerns of Geordies (real or, apparently, fictitious) are of great concern to him! The chorus is notable for two of the actors from the series (Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy) singing back up. A fun song. Exceptional guitar work as always, with a good strong percussion line. Chorus (perhaps intentionally) is reminicent of Native American chants.
@diluna25 <br /> Being from the US I had to look up Geordies, scouser, brummie and a bloke from the West Country. I am old enough to remember and still be repelled by Thatcherism. Will probably never have option to view to view "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet", but i have all the BBC streaming stuff so i will watch for it. Thanks for taking the time to enhance my understanding of this great lyricist and musician.<br /> I have been listening since 1978 but have missed a lot of the profound complexities. I did notice the closing drum line. I live in the South West and have spent many vacations on/in various communities/reservations learning about local customs, art, history, etc. and it jumps right out at me.