Alternative Ulster

Alternative London was a book that gave outsiders a view on the hippy scene in London in the 60s. Around about the same time, the Troubles started in Northern Ireland (Ulster). Due to the breakdown in law and order the entertainment scene became controlled by the para military organisations on both sides of the divide (the hoods, aka IRA, UDA, UVF. Bands were scared to go to Northern Ireland, and local bands were encouraged to adapt a more "family orientated" style of music. The result was that Ulster's music scene was dominated by middle of the road bands doing covers of country and pop tunes, they were called show bands. The song is a protest against the fact that there was no outlet for kids who were interested in what was going on outside the province. It's a cry to kids on both sides of the divide to unite against those who are keeping them down. The Pound was a run down venue in the centre of Belfast. The only other place was a venue called the Trident in Bangor. Shows there finished so late that there were no buses back to town - hence "you walk back to the city". That's because the Hoods just wanted the kids' money, they weren't interested in entertainment. So the only answer was for them to reclaim their country "grab it and take its yours". The British Army had originally been deployed to protect the nationalist (catholic community) however by the time of the song they were seen as an army of oppression by that side. Protestants on the other hand saw them as their defenders. Jake Burns was very clear that he did not support either side, and that the conflict itself was what was really holding people back. So the point was "whatever side you are on, can't you see it's not normal to have the army on your streets?" The RUC is the Royal Ulster Constabulary - a retrograde police force who would take a dim view of anything that changed the status quo. Bear in mind that punk was seen as a threat in other UK cities, and punk bands were not allowed to play at all in places like Glasgow. (I can't believe this happened in my lifetime.)

So to summarise the song is a protest against the fact that kids in Northern Ireland were being denied what was available to their peers in the rest of the UK. Freedom to enjoy the music they wanted to hear and to enjoy the freedom of lifestyle choice that was available elsewhere.

I'm not from Northern Ireland, but many of my friends from there say that The Troubles held back their society for over 30 years. When the peace agreement was signed, culturally their country was still living in the 1960s (1960s Britain/Ireland not 1960s Haight - Ashbury).

I can't stress enough how important it is that people realise this song has nothing to do with supporting the Nationalists, or the Unionists. It was about seeing beyond the divisions.

This definatley sums up the mood of Belfast and the rest of the province during the 1970's and in many areas of the country even now, despite what the media might have the tourists believe.

The Trident was a punk venue in Bangor, and the R.U.C. (Royal Ulster Constabliary) were the police force of the time renowned at the time for their heavy handed tactics towards nationalist protest,

This is one of the best punk songs I have ever heard.

Seriously you guys, you know, this page is called "Songmeanings" so please.... could someone... post the meaning of this song, 'cause you know, there are some people who is not from Ireland and there is some others whose english is not their first language who would like to know what this song is all about. Thank you

you guys aren't going to believe this but my uncle was in Stiff little fingers. he was Alistair McMordie, my mum, fiona mcmordies brother. If ur all wondering what became of him, he is now a tour manager, hes toured with Moby, il Divo, Scissor Sisters and later this year he hopes to have time to tour with Oasis (can't wait) anyway, for xmas my mum got me a whole load of his albums on vinyl as an extra gift, and one CD. (cin as i dnt hav a record player) And they rock. My favourite song is I could be happy yesterday and alternative Ulster. For all you people who believe me please post to this song and let me know. So i can feel happy. =)

Well, it's pretty self-explanatory. A couple of things people might not know are that the RUC was the old police force in NI, and that Bangors quite a middle class seaside town about 15 miles from Belfast.

the rawness, anger, and frustration of being brought up during the troubles in Belfast is channelled brilliantly. powerful album too.

very true rampton. slf are brilliant and this is definitely one of there better songs.

Best punk-song EVER

why isnt white noise on the list, methinks its cos the owner thinksits racist when its actually not. they had some really bad misinterpretaions of the song but its actually asking people to recognise the racism going on not only against people with different skin colour but also those who are from another country or talk differently eg, them,being irish,moving to england and getting lots of hassle for it.