On the 18th June 2005, Five Knuckle played their last gig in their home town - Bristol.
Not in My Name
Five Knuckle Lyrics
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I was born in this country, I'm not a part of it.
I sense Irish pride through my father's eyes,
But with history comes injustice, won't play a part in any side.
"Strong words for a little man," you might say,
And what gives me the right to speak this way?
I'm young, I may lack understanding,
But I'm not content standing here saying nothing,
Try to provoke thought and offer you something.
Open myself up to criticism
In a sea of judgement and cynicism.
To those who fly the flag, what exactly is it for?
Are you promoting segregation, are you promoting war?
I ask myself, "What is it that they're saying,
And I wonder if they're aware of what they're representing?"
Politics and history,
I am what I am.
Yes, I question our rules and leaders, I question the powers that be,
Their morals, their values, and priorities,
The laws, our rights, our history,
The impact this has on you and me.
Politics and history,
I am what I am.
I question as a nation, what it is we have to be proud of?
And I guess what I'm saying is that it's just not good enough.
So will you bear these things in mind,
Will you bear these things in mind:
War, the arms trade,
Poverty and violence, inequality,
The rich and the poor, corporate rule,
The abuse of the environment, our racial divides
The lyrics to Five Knuckle's song Not in My Name are a critique of nationalism and blind patriotism. The singer declares that they shy away from the flag, which they find hard to relate to. They were born in this country but feel no sense of belonging. The singer recognizes the sense of pride that their father feels for being Irish, but they also see how that pride is bound up with a history of injustice. They refuse to take sides in any conflict that is rooted in nationalism because they do not want to be complicit in any violence or oppression.
The singer admits that they may not have a complete understanding of politics and history, but they refuse to remain silent. They offer their thoughts and criticisms even though they know they will be met with judgment and cynicism. They challenge those who wave the flag to consider what it truly represents. Is it a symbol of unity and inclusivity, or is it a tool of segregation and war?
The lyrics of Not in My Name encourage critical thinking and ask listeners to question the norms and values that shape their lives. The song speaks to the power of individual responsibility in shaping society, regardless of one's position or status. It advocates for accountability and social change through discourse and reflection. The song's challenging message and hard-hitting lyrics made it a cornerstone of the punk-rock scene in the UK and Europe during the 1990s and 2000s.
Line by Line Meaning
I shy away from your flag, hard to relate to it.
I cannot identify with your flag and the ideals it represents.
I was born in this country, I'm not a part of it.
Although I was born in this country, I don't feel represented by its current state.
I sense Irish pride through my father's eyes, But with history comes injustice, won't play a part in any side.
My father's Irish heritage brings me pride, but I acknowledge the injustice that has taken place and choose to remain neutral.
"Strong words for a little man," you might say, And what gives me the right to speak this way?
Although I may be young and inexperienced, I feel compelled to voice my beliefs.
I'm young, I may lack understanding, Compared to some, my life's far from demanding.
I am aware of my lack of experience in life and how that may affect my perspective.
But I'm not content standing here saying nothing, Try to provoke thought and offer you something.
However, I refuse to remain silent and instead aim to stimulate discussion and insight.
Open myself up to criticism In a sea of judgement and cynicism.
Despite the harsh environment of cynicism and criticism, I am willing to be vulnerable with my opinions.
To those who fly the flag, what exactly is it for? Are you promoting segregation, are you promoting war?
I question those who proudly wave the flag and wonder if their intentions are peaceful or divisive.
I ask myself, "What is it that they're saying, And I wonder if they're aware of what they're representing?"
I contemplate the meaning behind their actions and if they truly understand what they stand for.
Politics and history, I am what I am.
I am a product of my surroundings, which include current politics and historical events.
Yes, I question our rules and leaders, I question the powers that be, Their morals, their values, and priorities, The laws, our rights, our history, The impact this has on you and me.
I openly question the decisions and actions of those in power, including their values and how they impact society and individuals.
I question as a nation, what it is we have to be proud of? And I guess what I'm saying is that it's just not good enough.
I wonder what our country has achieved to be proud of, and conclude that it's not satisfactory.
So will you bear these things in mind, Will you bear these things in mind:
I hope you will consider the issues I've raised and keep them in mind.
War, the arms trade, Poverty and violence, inequality, The rich and the poor, corporate rule, The abuse of the environment, our racial divides
These issues, including war, violence, inequality, corporate control, environmental destruction, and racism, are still prevalent and require attention and action.
Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.