Englishman in New York
Eric Clapton/Sting Lyrics
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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
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
"Englishman in New York" is a song by Sting and was originally released in 1987. The song is about the differences between English and American cultures and the experience of a British expatriate in New York City. Sting wrote the song about Quentin Crisp, an English writer and gay rights activist who had moved to New York City. In the song, the singer describes himself as an Englishman in New York and how his accent and cultural differences set him apart from the people around him.
The song's opening lyrics highlight the singer's preference for tea over coffee and his preference for toast to be cooked on only one side. These little idiosyncrasies make him stand out in the crowd, and his accent is a dead giveaway that he isn't a New Yorker. The walking cane that he carries with him wherever he goes is another symbol of his Englishness, as it's something that is more commonly associated with the elderly or the disabled than with someone in their prime.
In the chorus, the singer refers to himself as an "alien" and a "legal alien." It's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that he is an outsider in American society. He's also proud of his English heritage and isn't afraid to assert it, even if it sets him apart from the people around him. The second verse emphasizes the importance of manners and how they make a man. The singer talks about how it takes a real man to suffer ignorance and smile, and he encourages listeners to be themselves, no matter what anyone else says.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I prefer tea over coffee
I like my toast done on one side
I prefer my toast to be toasted on only one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My accent is a clear indicator that I am from England
I'm an Englishman in New York
I am a visitor to New York from England
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
I can be seen strolling down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I carry a cane with me wherever I go
I take it everywhere I walk
I never leave my cane behind
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I am a foreigner, but I have legal status
If 'manners maketh man' as someone said
As someone once said, good manners define a person's character and qualities
He's the hero of the day
The person with good manners is highly respected and admired
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
A person needs to have inner strength and composure to tolerate ignorance and still maintain a positive outlook
Be yourself no matter what they say
Do not let others dictate how you should behave or who you should be
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Being too modest and proper can cause you to become infamous or well-known for the wrong reasons
You could end up as the only one
You may become isolated or alone due to your behavior or beliefs
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
Many people in this society lack gentleness and sobriety
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Sometimes subtlety or simplicity is more effective than extravagance
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Being a real man requires more than just having weapons or fighting skills
Takes more than a license for a gun
Not even having a license for a gun is enough to make a person a good man
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
Stand up to your enemies if you have to, but if possible, avoid conflict altogether
A gentleman will walk but never run
A real gentleman will never be in a hurry, but will always stay composed and dignified
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ut7ch1dh8x
【lyrics】
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
You 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
Whoa, I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Whoa, 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
Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
But 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
@antoniettatomatis5544
Today I read again VERY CAREFULLY THE STING SONG AND SUDDENLY IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE A PRAYER FOR EVERIBODY,
FOR WHITE PEOPLE AND COLOURED PEOPLE, FOR ILL PEOPLE AND NO ILL PEOPLE
(I can't remember what we can say
In English: NO ILL PEOPLE)
Aniwei I'm sure y
YOU'VE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S I MEANS.
IN ITALY NOW ARE ABOUT
3 OCLOC IN THE AFTERNOONS.
IN USA PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING,
I THINK.
I SAY YOU: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND "SOGNI D'ORO" TRANSLATED MEANS about "YOUR DREAMS COULD BE GOLD". NO BADLY.
ARE YOU AGRI WHIT ME?????
NOW I'M GOING TO THE BAR
JUST FOR TO TAKES A COFFEE
AND TO READ A NEWSPAPER.
THIS MORNING I WAS VERY BUSY
ON SHOPPING TO MILANO.
I BUY A HAT CALLED "BORSALINO" BEIGE COLOR, AND I WAS WEARING IT VERY APPROPRIATELY WHIT MY TRUSSARDY PIUMINO (IN ENGLISH I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU SAID NO I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW ITS THE NAME.
TO BE CONTINUED
MAYBE YES MAYBE NOT
IT DEPENDS
IF YOU'RE INTERESTING ON ITALIAN STILE
(ARMANI, TRUSSARDI,
TRU-TRUSSARDI, VALENTINO,
VALENTINO GARAVANI,
MAXMARA, ASPESI, LUCIANA ZUFFI, LORO PIANA, ....AND SO ON
LUISA SPAGNOLI, PAOLO TONALI,
@furihatakouki9097
34 years later... If you're watching this you're officially legend.
@novelcertad722
you mean 30 years later
@dmusic2424
I knowwww
@kostretek4585
I love this song
@furihatakouki9097
@@kostretek4585 same.
@ibrahimbaglayc9236
I love this song
@vnchrnkh
I don't drink coffee, I take vodka my dear.
I'm a Russian man in New York.
@yaskko5555
Иван Черных lol
@roselynd1586
😀i dont drink coffe i dont drink vodka but i drink Milk 🇮🇹i m Italian yeah
@fibific3551
I dont drink coffe, I dont drink vodka, I dont drink mili, I drink beer, I m Polish🇵🇱