Yeah its about the NCB-NUM strike in the 80's which was a turning point in the way the unions were able to challenge Thatchers government. Sheffield was in the Yorkshire coal fields, and the National Union of Miners had their headquarters in the city. At this point Sheffield was colloquially known as the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire, and was very strongly behind the miners.
The second verse of the song, makes reference to "sinking underground" "black as night" which is returned to in the next verse as "But no-one was underground to dig me out and set me free". Read this as him being coal and the miners no longer working down the pits.
Horses hooves, and fighting for their lives (livelihoods, or self esteem) is also literal, reflecting the vicious battles that took place between the police and miners picketing the mines.
Big Brother, as in Orwell's 1984, not the reality TV show.
Sick and tired of living in this hole; reflects the buried theme and Cockers feelings about Sheffield. He left Sheffield to study in London, and now lives in Paris.
A quick pun on tablets, and the revival of the city through service industries, especially clubbing. (e.g. Gatecrasher)
If you don't know what the magna carta is, then ask your school for a refund.
Yeah its about the NCB-NUM strike in the 80's which was a turning point in the way the unions were able to challenge Thatchers government. Sheffield was in the Yorkshire coal fields, and the National Union of Miners had their headquarters in the city. At this point Sheffield was colloquially known as the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire, and was very strongly behind the miners.
The second verse of the song, makes reference to "sinking underground" "black as night" which is returned to in the next verse as "But no-one was underground to dig me out and set me free". Read this as him being coal and the miners no longer working down the pits.
Horses hooves, and fighting for their lives (livelihoods, or self esteem) is also literal, reflecting the vicious battles that took place between the police and miners picketing the mines.
Big Brother, as in Orwell's 1984, not the reality TV show.
Sick and tired of living in this hole; reflects the buried theme and Cockers feelings about Sheffield. He left Sheffield to study in London, and now lives in Paris.
A quick pun on tablets, and the revival of the city through service industries, especially clubbing. (e.g. Gatecrasher)
If you don't know what the magna carta is, then ask your school for a refund.