Englishman in New York
Sting & The Police/The Police Lyrics


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I don't take 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

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

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

Overall Meaning

The Police’s “Englishman in New York” is a catchy song with a deeper meaning. The song tells the story of an Englishman living in New York City and the cultural differences he experiences. He takes his tea with milk and sugar, likes his toast done on one side, and carries a walking cane - all things that mark him as different from the Americans around him. He proudly proclaims his identity as an “alien” and a “legal alien,” determined to be himself no matter what others may say.


Throughout the song, the lyrics offer advice to listeners. The line, “If ‘manners maketh man’ as someone said, then he’s the hero of the day” suggests that manners and etiquette are important qualities to possess. The song also provides guidance on how to handle ignorance, advising that it takes a true gentleman to “suffer ignorance and smile” and to “confront your enemies” when necessary. The final refrain, “Be yourself no matter what they say,” is a powerful message encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves.


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 enjoy one-sided toast


And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My English accent is noticeable when I speak


I'm an Englishman in New York
I am a person from England currently residing in New York


See me walking down Fifth Avenue
Observe me walking on Fifth Avenue


A walking cane here at my side
I have a walking cane beside me


I take it everywhere I walk
I bring my walking cane wherever I go


Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I am a foreigner, but legally residing in the country


If "manners maketh man" as someone said
As previously stated, good manners make a person


He's the hero of the day
Having good manners is commendable


It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
One needs a certain maturity to grin and bear ignorance or insults


Be yourself no matter what they say
Stay true to who you are regardless of other's opinions


Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Being humble and proper can make one famous, though not necessarily in a good way


You could end up as the only one
This lifestyle could lead to being alone


Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
Being kind and moderate are not common in this contemporary culture


At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Sometimes the small, simple things are more important than grandiose things


Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Being a man requires more than owning weapons


Takes more than a license for a gun
Simply possessing a gun permit is not enough to make someone a man


Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
Stand up to your foes when necessary, but try to avoid them if possible


A gentleman will walk but never run
A true gentleman does not need to hurry or run to get where he needs to go




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@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,



All comments from YouTube:

@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

161 More Replies...

@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🇵🇱

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