Several of their later albums were released under the name The Plastic Ono Band, and often featured other musicians such as Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, and Alan White. The Plastic Ono Band's first album, Live Peace in Toronto 1969, was recorded during the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival. The first half of their performance consisted of rock standards, and during the second half, Ono took the microphone and along with the band performed what may be one of the first expressions of the avant garde during a rock concert. The set ended with music that consisted mainly of feedback, while Ono screamed and sang.
Their fifth album together, Some Time in New York City, released in 1972, is fiercely motivated by political issues the couple found themselves confronted with upon moving to New York City in September, 1971. The album was highly controversial but is generally seen as the beginning of Ono's emergence as a songwriter with "Sisters O Sisters", "Born In A Prison", and "We're All Water"
With the birth of their son Sean in 1975, Lennon put his career on hold to raise the boy and rekindle his relationship with his older son Julian. In the summer of 1980, both Lennon and Ono felt ready to resume to work and began composing. They made the decision to release their impending songs together on the same album. Subtitled "A Heart Play", Double Fantasy would be a collection of songs whereby John and Yoko would be singing to each other.
Released in 1984, Milk and Honey is notable for being Lennon's first posthumous release of music, having been recorded in the last months of his life during and following the sessions for Double Fantasy. Though Lennon's death caused a temporary shelving of the project, Ono was later capable of returning to complete it.
Sunday Bloody Sunday
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When they shot the people there
The cries of thirteen martyrs
Filled the free Derry air
Is there any one among you
Dare to blame it on the kids?
Not a soldier boy was bleeding
When they nailed the coffin lids!
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday's the day!
You claim to be majority
Well you know that it's a lie
You're really a minority
On this sweet Emerald Isle
When Stormont bans our marchers
They've got a lot to learn
Internment is no answer
It's those mother's turn to burn!
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday's the day!
You Anglo pigs and Scotties
Sent to colonize the north
You wave your bloody Union Jacks
And you know what it's worth!
How dare you hold on to ransom
A people proud and free
Keep Ireland for the Irish
Put the English back to sea!
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday's the day!
Yes it's always bloody Sunday
In the concentration camps
Keep Falls and roads free forever
From the bloody English hands
Repatriate to Britain
All of you who call it home
Leave Ireland to the Irish
Not for London or for Rome!
Sunday bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday's the day!
The song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is a powerful commentary on the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, particularly the Bloody Sunday massacre on January 30, 1972, when British soldiers shot unarmed civilian protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland. The song is a call to action for the Irish people to resist British colonization and occupation, and to fight for their independence and freedom.
The lyrics of the song denounce the British soldiers and politicians who support their actions in Northern Ireland, and call for the Irish to take back control of their land. The song opens with the line "Well it was Sunday Bloody Sunday / When they shot the people there / The cries of thirteen martyrs / Filled the free Derry air," which refers to the Bloody Sunday massacre and the cries and protests of the victims and their families.
The second verse chastises those who support the British occupation, saying "You claim to be majority / Well you know that it's a lie / You're really a minority / On this sweet Emerald Isle." The third verse specifically targets the British soldiers and politicians responsible for the violence, declaring "You Anglo pigs and Scotties / Sent to colonize the north / You wave your bloody Union Jacks / And you know what it's worth!" The final verse is a call to action, demanding "Keep Ireland for the Irish / Put the English back to sea!"
Line by Line Meaning
Well it was Sunday Bloody Sunday
The event being referred to occurred on a Sunday, which has since become known as Bloody Sunday.
When they shot the people there
On that day, people were shot by authorities.
The cries of thirteen martyrs
13 people were killed, considered martyrs by some.
Filled the free Derry air
The sounds of their cries filled the air in Derry.
Is there any one among you
Does anyone present have the courage to speak up?
Dare to blame it on the kids?
Is anyone blaming these events on children?
Not a soldier boy was bleeding
None of the people killed were soldiers.
When they nailed the coffin lids!
After their deaths, their coffins were closed.
You claim to be majority
Some people claim to be in the majority.
Well you know that it's a lie
This claim is not true.
You're really a minority
In reality, these people are in the minority.
On this sweet Emerald Isle
This event happened on the island of Ireland.
When Stormont bans our marchers
When the government bans our peaceful protests.
They've got a lot to learn
The government has much to learn about democracy.
Internment is no answer
Imprisonment without trial is not a solution.
It's those mother's turn to burn!
It's time for those responsible to face the consequences.
You Anglo pigs and Scotties
Referring to English and Scottish people in a derogatory manner.
Sent to colonize the north
Claiming that these people were sent to colonize Northern Ireland.
You wave your bloody Union Jacks
You proudly display the Union Jack flag.
And you know what it's worth!
The value of this flag is questionable.
How dare you hold on to ransom
How can you justify holding people ransom?
A people proud and free
The people of Ireland are proud and deserve to be free.
Keep Ireland for the Irish
Ireland should be kept for the Irish people.
Put the English back to sea!
English people should leave Ireland and return to England.
Yes it's always bloody Sunday
There is always violence on this day, referring to Bloody Sunday.
In the concentration camps
Overcrowded and inhumane prisons that the song's writers viewed as similar to concentration camps.
Keep Falls and roads free forever
The Falls area in Belfast should remain free from English control.
From the bloody English hands
English people should not have control over this area or the roads leading to it.
Repatriate to Britain
People of English descent living in Ireland should return to Britain.
All of you who call it home
Referring to people who view Ireland as their home even though they are not of Irish descent.
Leave Ireland to the Irish
Ireland should belong to the Irish people only.
Not for London or for Rome!
Neither London or Rome should have control over Ireland.
Sunday bloody Sunday
Referring to the event known as Bloody Sunday.
Bloody Sunday's the day!
The event known as Bloody Sunday is still remembered and discussed among members of the Irish community.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN WINSTON LENNON, YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind