Prologue To History

Manic Street Preachers

Were we the Kinnock factor
Am I talking private sector
Do I think I'm Shaun William Ryder
Or my former friend who's now undercover
He's gone and I'm no deserter
Perhaps I'm hard all the same

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Steve Ovett has injured his calf
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history

So I water my plants with Evian
A brand new Dyson that is decadent
Read my papers and the business section
Check out the Tessas and the pensions
Call my friends and they're alright
So I pray for the safety of the night

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Steve Ovett has injured his calf
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history

Remember ethnic cleansing in the highlands
No one says a thing in the middle of En-ger-land
I'm bruised fruit but still taste so nice
But if you look at me you better look twice
I'm talking rubbish to cover up the cracks
An empty vessel who can't make contact

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Phil Bennett's playing outside half
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history
A prologue to history
A prologue


Lyrics submitted by Songmeaningsuser

Prologue to History Lyrics as written by Jones Bradfield

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Prologue To History song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentIn 1997 I saw the Manics at what was then the Nynex Arena in Manchester. The gig was really disappointing, and I wrote a anotty, arsey letter to the NME complaining that the band weren't as good as they used to be, using the (somewhat embarassing) pseduonym 'The Empty Vessel of Omnipotence'. And I like to believe that Nicky Wire read this letter and that it inspired the lines 'I'm talking rubbish to cover up the cracks / An empty vessel who can't make contact.'

    I know this is actually very unlikely, but it's what the song means to me.
    ntwjoneson May 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOoh... I completely just realized something. Is the 'poet who can't play guitar' supposed to be Richey Edwards?

    Dang, I feel semi-smart.

    Oh yeah, and ntwjones... I think things like that too... like connections... that's really cool.

    Anyways... great song, one of my favorites by the Manics, actually.
    sepia_filmon April 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhat was the "ethnic cleansing in the highlands"?
    sugarbabydollon September 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentProbably the Highland Clearances. There was a lot of forced migration going on in the 18th and 19th centuries in the highlands of Scotland.
    TomosANTIGUATomoson January 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think that "my former friend who's now undercover" and "a poet who can't play guitar" are about Richey.
    iltlon February 27, 2010   Link

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