English was acclaimed for his starring role in the 1978 Australian TV series Against the Wind - he won the TV Week Logie Award for 'Best New Talent in Australia'. He also co-wrote and performed the score with Mario Millo (ex-Sebastian Hardie). The series had international release, known as Mot alla vindar (1980) in Scandinavia,[7] where both "Six Ribbons" and "Against the Wind" were released as singles, both singles and the soundtrack album peaked at #1 on the Norwegian charts; the first single, "Six Ribbons" and the album, peaked at #4 on the Swedish charts.
During 1983-1985, English won four Mo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985. English has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore from 1984. Performances of Essgee Entertainment's productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan trilogy from 1994 to 1997 were broadcast on Australian TV, they were all released on VHS and subsequently on DVD.
No Turning Back
Jon English Lyrics
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And if you can find pity, and mercy to give
And if you think that love, is the rule for all men
Well I'll tell you brothers, you better think agai-ain
'Cause there's (no turning back)
With survival the only law (no turning back)
So let the beast inside you roar (no turning back)
You can lay down and die, or put up a fight
But that's it, there's no turning back
We are not frightened rebels
We are the proud defenders of Troy
With one thought in mind
They crossed over the waters to murder yours wives
Your sons, and your daughters
So let them show hatred that's bur-urning inside
Better learn how to kill, it's too easy to die-ie
And there's no turning back
With survival the only law (no turning back)
So let the beast inside you roar-oar (no turning back)
Oh, just one choice is yours
You can lay down and die or put up a fight
But that's it, there's no tur-urning ba-ack
So who are we? (We're the proud defenders of Troy)
Who Are We? (We're the proud defenders of Troy)
And what do we bring? (Death to our enemies)
Yes
There's no more wrong, and there's no more right
And there's no rest at all, 'til the end is in si-ight
So stand with your brothers, you've got nowhere to run
Better get to your post, 'cause right now, here they come
(No turning back) with survival the only law
(No turning back) and let the beast inside you roar
(No turning back)
Ah, just one choice is yours
You can fight for you're right
'Cause you're right to fight for your life
There's no tur-urning ba-ack
(No turning back) Remember-
The lyrics of "No Turning Back" by Jon English explore themes of survival, justice, and the necessity of violence as a means of defense. The song opens with a seeming counterpoint to these themes, suggesting that "live and let live" and showing "pity and mercy" are the rules for love and community. However, the tone of the song shifts quickly with the chorus asserting that "survival" is the only rule and that there is "no turning back." The pride of the defenders of Troy is celebrated, as they fight to defend their loved ones from invasion and murder. The aggressors are depicted as harboring a deep hatred, which necessitates the defenders to "learn how to kill" in order to "fight for their life."
The song's narrative then shifts to a universal tone, as it declares that there is no more wrong or right, only an ongoing struggle "until the end is in sight." The importance of brotherhood and protecting one's own is emphasized, as the chorus drives home the point that there is no turning back and one must fight for what they believe in or die. The repetition of the phrase "no turning back" acts as a rallying cry, reinforcing the song's central message of defiance and perseverance in the face of conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
If you think there's a reason, for live and let live
If you believe there's a justification for non-interference and tolerance
And if you can find pity, and mercy to give
And if you're capable of showing compassion and forgiveness
And if you think that love, is the rule for all men
And if you feel that love should be the guiding principle for everyone
Well I'll tell you brothers, you better think agai-ain
Then you need to reconsider your position
'Cause there's (no turning back)
Because there's no way to retreat
With survival the only law (no turning back)
When the only rule is to survive
So let the beast inside you roar (no turning back)
So let your inner fighting spirit take over
Ah, just one choice is yours
Only one decision is up to you
You can lay down and die, or put up a fight
You can either give up and perish, or resist and struggle
But that's it, there's no turning back
But that's the final resolve, with no way to retrace
We are not frightened rebels
We are not fearful dissenters
We are the proud defenders of Troy
We are the willing guardians of our city
With one thought in mind
Driven by a single purpose
They crossed over the waters to murder yours wives
They sailed here to kill your spouses
Your sons, and your daughters
Your male and female offspring too
So let them show hatred that's bur-urning inside
So let them display the consuming animosity they harbor
Better learn how to kill, it's too easy to die-ie
You'd better learn how to kill, as it's easier to die than to survive
So who are we? (We're the proud defenders of Troy)
So who are we? We are the valiant protectors of our home
Who Are We? (We're the proud defenders of Troy)
Who Are We? We are the proud defenders of Troy
And what do we bring? (Death to our enemies)
And what are our intentions? To bring destruction to our adversaries
Yes
Indeed
There's no more wrong, and there's no more right
There's no distinction between right or wrong anymore
And there's no rest at all, 'til the end is in si-ight
There won't be any respite until the end is near
So stand with your brothers, you've got nowhere to run
So stand by your comrades, there's no escape
Better get to your post, 'cause right now, here they come
Get to your position, as they're coming now
(No turning back) with survival the only law
With only the rule of survival and no way to retreat
(No turning back) and let the beast inside you roar
So unleash the ferocity within you
(No turning back)
No way to retreat
Ah, just one choice is yours
Your decision is only one
You can fight for you're right
You can fight for your rights
'Cause you're right to fight for your life
As it's your prerogative to sustain your existence
There's no tur-urning ba-ack
There's no possibility of retreating
(No turning back) Remember-
No way to retreat, remember that
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRAEME ENGLISH, RUSS TIPPINS, STEVE RAMSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind