Stiff Little Fingers – Fly The Flag

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Gimme a country that's red white and blue
Gimme the British way honest and true
Gimme the chance to be one of the few
Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme

Gimme a kingdom where people are free
Free to do and free to be
Free to screw you before you screw me
Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme

'Cause I'm alright
I'm alright, Union Jack
Fly the flag

Gimme a Britain that's got back the Great
A race of winners not cramped by the State
And only the helpless get left at the gate
Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme

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Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death

Track duration: 03:45

"Fly the Flag" as written by Jake Burns, Gordon Archer Ogilvie

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Fly The Flag song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:By the time SLF released Nobodys Heroes, on which 'Fly The Flag' was first heard, all of the band except Henry Cluney had moved to London. I think the advance from Chrysalis records meant they could afford to leave Ireland and who could blame them with the climate at that time and the fact they were becoming a successful band so open to criticism or worse in their homeland.
    It's a great song, riddled with sarcastic lyrics attacking British patriotism at a time when the National Front were very strong, continuing in the same vein as 'White Noise' from the first SLF album, and it's not too disimilar to 'Voice of Britain' (which did indeed come out in 1984 and I'd say was Skrewdrivers only great album, notwithstanding the shite polemic on some of the songs...the music is harsh and powerful!)
    I'd still say 'White Noise' was a more effective critique of nationalist bile though.
    Flag Olly Stubbson May 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:gimme the red flag.
    Flag MickyZeeon March 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They didn't live in England, they were from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I think this is a response to the racism/colonialist views supported by England's government at the time as well as the public. Its a protest song in the purest form, using sarcasm and cynicism in order to make a point. I also think its interesting how the song seems to fit as a response to Skrewdrivers Voice of Britain (though I believe that song came out in 84?). Truly one of the best SLF songs written.
    Flag XmisfitXgirlXon August 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They didn't live in England, they were from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I think this is a response to the racism/colonialist views supported by England's government at the time as well as the public. Its a protest song in the purest form, using sarcasm and cynicism in order to make a point. I also think its interesting how the song seems to fit as a response to Skrewdrivers Voice of Britain (though I believe that song came out in 84?). Truly one of the best SLF songs written.
    Flag XmisfitXgirlXon August 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Very sarcastic. SLF lived in England for ages (im not so sure about now, but i think they still do).
    Flag Stand Ablazeon February 11, 2005   Link

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