yes, the "5th of November" is in reference to Guy Fawkes, who attempted to assinate King James I but was caught and executed.
The song is basically a cynical criticism of idealism. The first lines establish this perfectly: " Remember when you were young? How the hero was never hung." Lennon wants people to know that taking action, and doing the right thing, rebelling against a government or a tyrant or an unjust concept, isn't without consequences. He talks about how when you're a child, adults seemed to have so much power (just as those things Lennon rebbeled against seemed to have so much power), but everything seemed to turn out okay (just as the idealists believe it will).
The final verse reinforces this. Fawkes was killed for his attempt, and his country still hates him to this day. The protestors in Missippi and Alabama in the early 60s were shot and killed, as were those at Kent State, or the '68 DNC. Lennon isn't saying that he disagrees with the motives of these people, but he wants to make it very clear that doing what's right will not always make you a hero. Alot of times it will get you killed.
yes, the "5th of November" is in reference to Guy Fawkes, who attempted to assinate King James I but was caught and executed.
The song is basically a cynical criticism of idealism. The first lines establish this perfectly: " Remember when you were young? How the hero was never hung." Lennon wants people to know that taking action, and doing the right thing, rebelling against a government or a tyrant or an unjust concept, isn't without consequences. He talks about how when you're a child, adults seemed to have so much power (just as those things Lennon rebbeled against seemed to have so much power), but everything seemed to turn out okay (just as the idealists believe it will).
The final verse reinforces this. Fawkes was killed for his attempt, and his country still hates him to this day. The protestors in Missippi and Alabama in the early 60s were shot and killed, as were those at Kent State, or the '68 DNC. Lennon isn't saying that he disagrees with the motives of these people, but he wants to make it very clear that doing what's right will not always make you a hero. Alot of times it will get you killed.