MSN/Guardian: "Morrissey’s Irish Blood, English Heart is by no means a far-right anthem" (July 6, 2024)

Morrissey is indeed an odd man with views that range from the puzzling to the distinctly unpleasant. But Zoe Williams’ article (A Morrissey tribute band separates the art from the artist – but I still end up feeling queasy, 30 July), which took issue with the song Irish Blood, English Heart, betrays a misunderstanding of the lyrics.

Like Morrissey, my parents were Irish immigrants to England, although it only served as a way station before they emigrated to the US. This song, disparaged by Williams as some type of nascent anthem of the Reform party, articulates the complex feelings regarding country of citizenship and country of heritage that many first-generation residents of England, the US, Canada etc feel, regardless of where they are from.

Never would I parse out the line “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” to be some type of rightwing call to arms. Indeed, the lyrics seem to take issue with the racism and classism historically promulgated under the cover of the union flag, and long for a day when all English people (including those of other heritages) can stand under their flag proudly, knowing the banner represents their better natures.
John Mathews

Riverside, Illinois, US

• I concur with Zoe Williams’ description of the discomfort erstwhile fans of The Smiths and Morrissey’s music experience in their efforts separating art from artist. However, it’s possible to reconcile the lyrics of Irish Blood, English Heart with a worldview that isn’t prejudicial or sectarian. For many years, I’ve bemoaned the hijacking of the union flag by the far right. It should be possible to be proud of one’s country without being part of that minority of racists and bigots who are lying when they claim to be patriots. The nation’s flag doesn’t belong to them, and these lyrics do not belong to the Tommy Robinsons of this world.

Patrick Smith

Bury, Greater Manchester

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/morrissey-s-irish-blood-english-heart-is-by-no-means-a-far-right-anthem/ar-AA1oll7v
(URL is via archive.is).

Odd, short post on MSN, sharing a Guardian article that now appears on the main Guardian site.
Reproduced in full.
FWD.

 

[Juan Dulces]

My favorite song on Quarry from the gate! Morrissey's most turbocharged rocker!

 

[gashonthenail]

Does Zoe Williams really think that the Lee Andersons and Nigel Farages of Reform would sing along with: “And spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell / And denounce this royal line / That still salute him and will salute him forever”?
Stephanie Smith
Glasgow

That line has always made me doubt Moz's knowledge of history. Oliver Cromwell was instrumental in bringing Charles I to trial and having him executed. The reason Cromwell was so brutal towards the Irish was not because they were Catholic, but because they rose up in support of the Royalist cause, and King Charles's European Catholic allies. As they were to do again in 1689/1690. Parliament offered Cromwell the crown on several occasions - but he refused on republican grounds.
When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Cromwell's body was dug up and posthumously executed for regicide. His body was hanged in chains at Tyburn and then thrown in a pit. His head was cut off and displayed on a pole outside Westminster Hall until 1685 - 25 years later. The Royal Family do not salute Oliver Cromwell. Never have and never will.

 

[JerryCan]

That line has always made me doubt Moz's knowledge of history. Oliver Cromwell was instrumental in bringing Charles I to trial and having him executed. The reason Cromwell was so brutal towards the Irish was not because they were Catholic, but because they rose up in support of the Royalist cause, and King Charles's European Catholic allies. As they were to do again in 1689/1690. Parliament offered Cromwell the crown on several occasions - but he refused on republican grounds.
When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Cromwell's body was dug up and posthumously executed for regicide. His body was hanged in chains at Tyburn and then thrown in a pit. His head was cut off and displayed on a pole outside Westminster Hall until 1685 - 25 years later. The Royal Family do not salute Oliver Cromwell. Never have and never will.

Yes I always wondered about this bit, but maybe he's cross at the monarchy being happy to return and continue to bump along with the very parliament that tried to eradicate them, only interested in the constitutional trappings of status, wealth etc.
Can't really add more as I was useless at history.

 

[goinghome]

@goinghome

Tell me what you're asking, Z2G, and I'll try to oblige

What about Bengali in Platforms?

Oh no no no no no!

 

[Breton La Villain]

I see the U.K. media still have it in for Morrissey.

 

[dvandy]

'unpleasant' is subjective though, isn't it?

does he mean Moz's views on comparing the meat industry to the holocaust?
or calling the Chinese a sub-species?
or supporting terrorism carried out by the animal liberation front?
or supporting the abolition of the monarchy?
or supporting the killing of Margaret Thatcher?
or voicing support for a United Ireland?
or voicing support for Scotland leaving the UK?
or voicing support for Brexit?
or supporting the killing of George Bush or Donald Trump?
or saying that Berlin is the rape capital of Europe?
or saying that immigration has changed London beyond recognition?
or saying that everyone prefers their own race?
or suggesting that Barack Obama was 'white on the inside'?
or saying that halal slaughter has to be certified by Isis?
or advising people in the UK to vote for For Britain?
or suggesting that maybe the case against Kevin Spacey was a bit of a witch hunt?

Take your pick. The list is endless. Moz has historically rarely been reluctant to voice an opinion on a whole range of 'controversial' subjects. What the writer of the above piece means by 'unpleasant' is that Moz has said some things that the writer disagrees with. Shock, horror! What sort of world would it be if everyone agreed with everyone else on everything? Moz Solo would become very dull, for a start...

I agree any group of people that eat dogs is a subspecies and Kevin Spacey was cleared of all charges, so there are two on your list that can be dismissed as vulgar, All the England stuff I have no idea but I think Trump has echoed most of the other things concerning the US.

 

[On his way out]

Just on unpleasant lyrics, "her very lowness with her head in a sling, I'm truly sorry but it sounds like a wonderful thing" sounds like someone who tortures their pets for fun.

 

[gashonthenail]

Yes I always wondered about this bit, but maybe he's cross at the monarchy being happy to return and continue to bump along with the very parliament that tried to eradicate them, only interested in the constitutional trappings of status, wealth etc.
Can't really add more as I was useless at history.

Yes, a very 'generous' reading of the line is that it is the Cromwellian mindset the monarchy salutes, rather than Oliver Cromwell the man - despotic power and brutality towards ones enemies. But that is being very generous to the line indeed. Something to ponder too what England would have been like if Cromwell had lost - something much more like the absolute monarchies of France or Spain, with no tradition of parliamentary democracy. I for one am glad that Charles I lost the civil war.
And I am also glad that it was that same anti-monarchy Roundhead mentality that sailed across the Atlantic to found the USA.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Is one obligated to love every line he’s ever written?