Irish Blood, English Heart :: Morrissey

I'm a completely unabashed Morrissey fan. I think it's because he's so introspective and self-exploring (or self-obsessed, however you think of it). He delves into every part of himself and somehow wrenches it into a song.

"Irish Blood, English Heart" is a pretty simple song at first. Morrissey's parents were Irish, but they moved to England, so he grew up English. He thinks about his country and his identity, and yearns for the day when "to be English...is not to be baneful..." Then the song gets more complex. It references a semi-scandal he was involved with back in the day. He posed for a cover of a music magazine with a British flag, and people attacked him for racism because of it. This totally hurt his feelings- why should posing next to a British flag be racist? Anyway, you can read more about "this charming man" (nudge, wink) by clicking HERE. I'll also include the Wikipedia for Oliver Cromwell HERE.

Irish blood, English heart, this I'm made of
There is no-one on earth I'm afraid of
And no regime can buy or sell me

I've been dreaming of a time when
To be English is not to be baneful
To be standing by the flag not feeling
Shameful, racist or partial

Irish blood, English heart, this I'm made of
There is no-one on earth I'm afraid of
And I will die with both my hands untied

I've been dreaming of a time when
The English are sick to death of Labour
And Tories, and spit upon the name of Oliver Cromwell
And denounce this royal line that still salute him
And will salute him forever