Liricí AmhránSong Lyrics

Cut-Price Hero

Written by Ewan MacColl

English
Present-day hero,
Sporting a pinstripe and wearing the regiment's tie,
Blood in his eye - the world on his shoulders.
Trims his moustache while he's dreaming of destiny's hour,
Greedy for power -
 
Ready to save the nation, and lead us in the fight,
Never a doubt that everything he does is right.
 
 
National hero,
Neat little man who's been chosen by Fate to redeem
The national dream:  Imperial Greatness.
St. George with a briefcase, he's looking for dragons to slay,
Waits for the day -
 
We ask him to save the nation, and lead us in the fight,
Never a doubt that God is absolutely white.
 
 
Classical hero,
Standing alone on the bridge, he's defending the race,
Setting his face against the invader.
Knowing the worth of a man can be seen by his skin,
The killing begins -
 
Determined to save the nation, and lead us in the fight,
Never a doubt that virtue is pure unblemished white.
 
 
Yesterday's hero,
Trapped in a bunker and died like a rat in a hole,
Ultimate goal of second-hand heroes.
Another one rises, demanding the right to be heard,
And gets the bird -
 
History shrugs its shoulders.  Gives a big horse-laugh,
And the cut-price hero ends up with the rest of the trash!