Story Behind The Song
When he was asked why there were no African artists on the bill at the ego-fest that was Live 8, Bob Geldof crassly suggested that television viewers didn't want to see "Africans with guitars" (in a recurring nightmare I am made to endure a live set by a guitar-wielding Geldof!). It got me thinking about how awareness-raising events like this are merely vehicles for narcissistic, artistically impotent, socially ignorant, corporate pop stars to peddle their mediocre wares to a mass audience of gullible consumers. They deserve each other. The people of Africa, on the other hand, deserve more respect.
| Song Length |
2:41 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary |
Lyrics
They're lining up around the block
To pay homage to their heroes
They know fuck all about African debt
And they really couldn't care less
Paddy Irishman's the Lord of the Dance
He's been waiting for another chance
It's 20 years since his canonisation
Since he brought the light into a pitch black nation
You came to colonise us
You tried to civilise us
But you only polarised us
Now you want to patronise us
So you've salved your conscience
And you're feeling good
Cleansed yourself
Of your forebears' blood
Yeah, you've salved your conscience
And you're feeling good
Cleansed yourself
Of your forebears' blood