Very much a song about the Irish/Northern Irish divide and the ludicrocity of it's continuation. Some background information which should make things clearer:
'Potato Junkie' - Potatoes have long been an important part of the Irish diet, in fact being such a staple that the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1849 killed around 1,000,000 people in Ireland.
'James Joyce is fucking my sister' - James Joyce was an author and playright, and a Catholic hero.
'How can I remember 1690?' - July 12th 1690 was the day of the Battle Of The Boyne, an important Protestant victory.
'I was born in 1965' - Andy Cairns was indeed born on September 22nd 1965, making there 225 years, 2 months and 10 days between his birth and the date which people are still supposed to celebrate or be bitter about.
'To think that green's the only colour on the atlas' - I assume this is a reference to the stereotype of Ireland as being entirely green. This line, along with those around it, says that it's pointless to pretend that Ireland is a green, idyllic land, it's a place where people are at risk every day.
Anyway, if you ever get the chance to see them live, do it, just for this song! Oh, and better memorise the 'James Joyce is fucking my sister' bit...
Very much a song about the Irish/Northern Irish divide and the ludicrocity of it's continuation. Some background information which should make things clearer:
'Potato Junkie' - Potatoes have long been an important part of the Irish diet, in fact being such a staple that the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1849 killed around 1,000,000 people in Ireland.
'James Joyce is fucking my sister' - James Joyce was an author and playright, and a Catholic hero.
'How can I remember 1690?' - July 12th 1690 was the day of the Battle Of The Boyne, an important Protestant victory.
'I was born in 1965' - Andy Cairns was indeed born on September 22nd 1965, making there 225 years, 2 months and 10 days between his birth and the date which people are still supposed to celebrate or be bitter about.
'To think that green's the only colour on the atlas' - I assume this is a reference to the stereotype of Ireland as being entirely green. This line, along with those around it, says that it's pointless to pretend that Ireland is a green, idyllic land, it's a place where people are at risk every day.
Anyway, if you ever get the chance to see them live, do it, just for this song! Oh, and better memorise the 'James Joyce is fucking my sister' bit...