This song simply put is about Britishpresence around the world, mostly militant. It starts in a British citizen wanting to do good and needing to find a job. "Have you got yourself an occupation" is the British government when they were trying to build up their military force and suggesting young men to go into that field. The chorus, "Olivers Army" is a reference to Oliver Cromwell, but its not specifically talking about the things he did as a person. "And I would rather be anywhere else but here today" signify's the citizen's and Costello's opinion against this militant takeover of the world. In the next verse, they make reference to a place called Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall where there was a lot of military, not british, but military presence. The murder mile can reference to a place in Ireland, OR in upper hackney in London, both fit. "Only takes one itchy trigger" obvious is talking about guns and shootings. "One more widow, one less white nigger", this is talking about their apathetic view towards the military killing, and also using such a strong word, they make reference to unacceptance of different religions and races. In the next verse, basically its talking about different types of groups of people and places. "Hong Kong is up for grabs" is reference to Hong Kong when it was under British rule. Then its talking about other places it could conquer next, such as palestine. Then, "With the boys from the mersey and the thames and the tyne" is just talking about how they could go about conquering places from 3 different major rivers in europe. Then we go back to Britain trying to convince the youth that its a good idea to join the military with "theres no danger, its a professional career." They want to make boys feel grown up. Churchill is the Prime Minister, so of course he is mentioned. Finally, "if you're out of luck, you're out of work we could send you to Johannesburg." is meaning Johannesburg, South Africa, in which the British tried to solidify by sending more and more of their people there, and eventually getting into a war with the people. Theres the long explination.
It's nothing to with the 17th century Lord Protector of England. Oliver's Army refers to persons exempted from conscription by the schedule of Reserved Occupations 1938, who were named after Oliver Lytteton, wartime President of the Board of Trade as "Oliver's Army". The rest of the song refers to conscription post-1945 when such occupations were no longer exempt. The public unjustly regarded people so classified with suspicion, as they were physically present during 1939-1945.
It's nothing to with the 17th century Lord Protector of England. Oliver's Army refers to persons exempted from conscription by the schedule of Reserved Occupations 1938, who were named after Oliver Lytteton, wartime President of the Board of Trade as "Oliver's Army". The rest of the song refers to conscription post-1945 when such occupations were no longer exempt. The public unjustly regarded people so classified with suspicion, as they were physically present during 1939-1945.
@opivy7898 Not sure really what to make of your post, but I quote : "Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall " - Perhaps that was a mistake, but there is no such thing as the British Wall. Honestly if you are going to post something as a statement of fact rather than "In my humble opinion" then you should get your facts right.
@opivy7898 Not sure really what to make of your post, but I quote : "Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall " - Perhaps that was a mistake, but there is no such thing as the British Wall. Honestly if you are going to post something as a statement of fact rather than "In my humble opinion" then you should get your facts right.
This song simply put is about Britishpresence around the world, mostly militant. It starts in a British citizen wanting to do good and needing to find a job. "Have you got yourself an occupation" is the British government when they were trying to build up their military force and suggesting young men to go into that field. The chorus, "Olivers Army" is a reference to Oliver Cromwell, but its not specifically talking about the things he did as a person. "And I would rather be anywhere else but here today" signify's the citizen's and Costello's opinion against this militant takeover of the world. In the next verse, they make reference to a place called Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall where there was a lot of military, not british, but military presence. The murder mile can reference to a place in Ireland, OR in upper hackney in London, both fit. "Only takes one itchy trigger" obvious is talking about guns and shootings. "One more widow, one less white nigger", this is talking about their apathetic view towards the military killing, and also using such a strong word, they make reference to unacceptance of different religions and races. In the next verse, basically its talking about different types of groups of people and places. "Hong Kong is up for grabs" is reference to Hong Kong when it was under British rule. Then its talking about other places it could conquer next, such as palestine. Then, "With the boys from the mersey and the thames and the tyne" is just talking about how they could go about conquering places from 3 different major rivers in europe. Then we go back to Britain trying to convince the youth that its a good idea to join the military with "theres no danger, its a professional career." They want to make boys feel grown up. Churchill is the Prime Minister, so of course he is mentioned. Finally, "if you're out of luck, you're out of work we could send you to Johannesburg." is meaning Johannesburg, South Africa, in which the British tried to solidify by sending more and more of their people there, and eventually getting into a war with the people. Theres the long explination.
Very good.
Very good.
It's nothing to with the 17th century Lord Protector of England. Oliver's Army refers to persons exempted from conscription by the schedule of Reserved Occupations 1938, who were named after Oliver Lytteton, wartime President of the Board of Trade as "Oliver's Army". The rest of the song refers to conscription post-1945 when such occupations were no longer exempt. The public unjustly regarded people so classified with suspicion, as they were physically present during 1939-1945.
It's nothing to with the 17th century Lord Protector of England. Oliver's Army refers to persons exempted from conscription by the schedule of Reserved Occupations 1938, who were named after Oliver Lytteton, wartime President of the Board of Trade as "Oliver's Army". The rest of the song refers to conscription post-1945 when such occupations were no longer exempt. The public unjustly regarded people so classified with suspicion, as they were physically present during 1939-1945.
@opivy7898 Not sure really what to make of your post, but I quote : "Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall " - Perhaps that was a mistake, but there is no such thing as the British Wall. Honestly if you are going to post something as a statement of fact rather than "In my humble opinion" then you should get your facts right.
@opivy7898 Not sure really what to make of your post, but I quote : "Checkpoint Charlie on the british wall " - Perhaps that was a mistake, but there is no such thing as the British Wall. Honestly if you are going to post something as a statement of fact rather than "In my humble opinion" then you should get your facts right.