Lyric discussion by mjbarks 

Cover art for A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours lyrics by Smiths, The

In my opinion this song is about a time he left home, couldn't cope, and then came back. His parents are concerned that he's not happy, and he tells them 'no, I'm fine really', although inside he's particularly cut up about the fact he can't find love, although there is someone he's in love with from a far who he's too nervous to tell (phone me, phone me, phone me). If he was a bit stronger (like those people who take what they want from life), then he would be able to do it himself. The rush and a push are a nod to his Irish heritage, and represent him being stronger, and 'taking the land', which unfortunately, he's not able to do because of weakness or insecurity.

@mjbarks This is sort of approaching my take on this song. I think it's more or less about a young adult who left home but then something happened and he had to return home to live with his parents for a time. I've been in that situation myself a couple times so it may very well be projection, but I think even if the narrative is off, we are thematically in the ballpark.