Formed as an experimental-psychedelic-folk-punk-duo by brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch in the early 2000’s, the group has gone through various incarnations and taken part in a number of musical projects, including recording for movie soundtracks and TV documentaries.
Salonika
Lynched Lyrics
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I wonder if he knows he has a kid with a poxy head?
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
And when the war is over, what will the soldiers do?
They'll be hopping around with a leg and a half but the slackers, we'll have two
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
We'll be all around the soldiers for the loan of a bob or two
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
Well at first they tax the sugar, and the they tax the tea,
And then they brought conscription and took my man away
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
They tax the pound of b___er, they tax the ha'penny bun,
But still with all their taxes they can't beat the bleeding hun.
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
And when the war is over, what will the slackers do?
For every kid in America in Dublin there'll be two.
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
For they takes us up the Phoeno, and lays us on the grass,
They puts us in the family way then leaves us on our a__
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
Well there's lino in the parlour and in the kitchen too
A glass back chiffonier that we got from d___y Glue
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
Oh and never marry a copper, a soldier or a marine,
Politician, or a banker, ladies, keep your conscience clean
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
My husband's in Salonika, I wonder if he's dead,
I wonder if he knows he has a kid with a poxy head?
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy.
The song "Salonika" by Lynched is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a woman whose husband is fighting in the war in Salonika, Greece. She wonders if he is still alive and if he knows he has a child with a "poxy" head, a reference to a child born with syphilis. The song reflects the struggles and hardships faced by families left behind during World War I.
The lyrics also express the frustration and anger towards the government's imposition of taxes and conscription. The woman sings about how they tax everything, even sugar and tea, yet they still cannot defeat their enemy, the "bleeding hun." She also expresses her resentment towards slacker men who will benefit from the war by having two legs while soldiers may return with only one.
The last verse of the song is a warning to women to be careful in choosing a partner, urging them to "keep your conscience clean" and avoid marrying a soldier, a copper, a marine, a banker, or a politician. This reflects the experience and disappointment of women during the war who lost their husbands or partners to the conflict.
Overall, "Salonika" is a powerful and poignant reflection of the struggles faced by families during the war and the devastating impact it had on their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My husband's in Salonika, I wonder if he's dead,
I am uncertain about the condition of my husband who is fighting the war in Salonika.
I wonder if he knows he has a kid with a poxy head?
I am unsure whether he is aware that I have a child who is ill.
So write away, so write away, so write away Salonika, write away my soldier boy
I implore anyone who is capable to write to my husband in Salonika as it brings him comfort.
And when the war is over, what will the soldiers do?
I wonder what will happen to the soldiers when the war ends.
They'll be hopping around with a leg and a half but the slackers, we'll have two
The soldiers will be wounded and disabled from the war, and those who avoided service or duty will not be affected.
Well at first they tax the sugar, and the they tax the tea,
Firstly, they imposed taxes on sugar and tea.
And then they brought conscription and took my man away
Later, my husband was compelled to serve through conscription and left me.
They tax the pound of b___er, they tax the ha'penny bun,
They taxed everything, such as butter and buns, trying to fund the war.
But still with all their taxes they can't beat the bleeding hun.
Despite all their taxes, they still couldn't win over the Germans (Huns).
For every kid in America in Dublin there'll be two.
There will be more children born in Dublin than America following the end of the war.
For they takes us up the Phoeno, and lays us on the grass,
They take advantage of us, in the park and lay us on the grass.
They puts us in the family way then leaves us on our a__.
They get us pregnant and abandon us.
Oh and never marry a copper, a soldier or a marine, Politician, or a banker, ladies, keep your conscience clean
I advise women to avoid marrying individuals who work in occupations like policing, military, politics, or banking.
Contributed by Gianna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.