Oliver Boy (All of Our Boys) Lyrics

Lyric discussion by ronin.mars 

Cover art for Oliver Boy (All of Our Boys) lyrics by Flogging Molly

I think you’re half right. I think he is indeed referencing Oliver Cromwell but I think he’s more drawing a comparison between then and now:-

“Oliver boy! It’s the same militia Oliver boy! Just the clothes are different. Oliver boy! It’s the same old story Where there’s blood there’s death not glory”

Simply put, we haven’t changed much I the 500+ years since Cromwell. Just the clothes are different.

Song Meaning