Englishman in New York
Bamboo Lyrics


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I dont take coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
Im an englishman in new york

See me walking down fifth avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
Im an englishman in new york

Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york

If, manners maketh man as someone said
Then hes the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candles brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If, manners maketh man as someone said
Then hes the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york




Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york

Overall Meaning

Bamboo's "Englishman in New York" is a song about a British expat living in New York and finding himself both fascinated and alienated by the culture. The song's opening lines, "I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear / I like my toast done on the side," highlight the cultural differences between America and England. These lines demonstrate the Brit's preference for tea over coffee, and describes how he likes his toast made.


The lyrics go on to explain how the Englishman's accent is a dead giveaway that he is not a native of New York. This is emphasized when he is seen walking down Fifth Avenue with a walking cane, which is a common sight in the streets of London. The song describes the Englishman as "an alien, a legal alien" in the United States, but also highlights how he is proud of his identity as an Englishman.


The song even includes a reference to the phrase "manners maketh man," which speaks to the idea that being polite and well-mannered is a critical aspect of being a man. In many ways, this phrase serves as a reminder to the Englishman in the song that he should stay true to his values and manners, even if he feels out of place in his new environment.


Line by Line Meaning

I dont take coffee I take tea my dear
I prefer tea to coffee


I like my toast done on one side
I only want one side of my toast toasted


And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My accent reveals that I am English


Im an englishman in new york
I am an English person living in New York


See me walking down fifth avenue
I can be seen walking on Fifth Avenue


A walking cane here at my side
I carry a cane with me


I take it everywhere I walk
I bring my cane wherever I go


Im an alien Im a legal alien
I am a foreigner who is legally in the country


If, manners maketh man as someone said
If good manners make a man, as someone once said


Then hes the hero of the day
Then he is praised for his behavior


It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
It takes strength to endure ignorance and still remain polite


Be yourself no matter what they say
Stay true to yourself despite criticism from others


Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Being humble and appropriate can actually bring attention to oneself


You could end up as the only one
You might find yourself alone in your beliefs


Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
It is uncommon to see people who are kind and not drunk in this society


At night a candles brighter than the sun
At night, a candle can seem brighter than the sun


Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Being a man is more than just wearing combat gear


Takes more than a license for a gun
Have a gun license is not enough to make a man


Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
Stand up to your enemies, but try to avoid conflict if possible


A gentleman will walk but never run
A man of good character will calmly walk, not run, away from trouble




Contributed by Savannah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@chad6813

I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say...

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York



@jdcb4610

I don't drink coffee, I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say



All comments from YouTube:

@Armon1990

Don't you just love the way that there's sort of a Piano Solo, then Bass Solo, then Drums Solo. Amazing piece. Not just Bamboo, but the entire band.

@PampanganArchives

That's Jazz

@jamessuarez9911

Wo

@kevincn

Miss ko na

@sevengraced7396

bamboo has a unique voice that even your eyes close you wil still recognize that it's him that is singing..

@iamf6641

true

@TitoCholoReviews

that drum solo is beastly

@hackuh

grabe ang galing ng cover ni bamboo!the best!

@lainemanalac6191

I love you forever, Bamboo! ❤

@sunnyexposure5922

This is fabulous!!!

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