Amsterdam
The Dreadnoughts Lyrics


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Johnny was an Englishman, from Derbyshire was he
He had a wife so beautiful, had children one to three
He loved them all so dearly, as only Johnny could
And always did exactly as he should

Then one day he took a trip across the channel white
To where the streets are narrow, and bathed in crimson light
He lives there to this day inside his dirty rotten shell
This British lion now becomes a lamb

Amsterdam!

William was a sailor, upon the raging main
Made port in London, Boston, New York, Germany and Spain
He loved the girls so dearly, until their hearts were won
Then sailed away into the setting sun

Breakfast on the table, Porter when you're dry
She'll love you in the morning, she'll love you 'till you die
She'll love you 'till the day she's spent all your pay
She's the devil's holy water by the dram

Amsterdam!

So come all ye sailors, who live upon the main
Remember dear old Jimmy when he left upon that train
He wanders round old Amsterdam a-lookin' for his fix
And Willy's life is never free of kicks

Breakfast on the table, Porter when you're dry
She'll love you in the morning, she'll love you 'till you die
She'll love you 'till the day she's spent all your pay
She's the devil's holy water by the dram





Amsterdam!

Overall Meaning

The Dreadnoughts' song "Amsterdam" is a fast-paced folk punk song about two men, Johnny and William, whose lives change after their respective visits to Amsterdam. Johnny was an Englishman who had a wife and three children that he loved dearly. However, after he crossed the channel and visited Amsterdam, his personality took a drastic turn. He became a different person, living in a "dirty rotten shell" and changing from a British lion to a lamb. On the other hand, William, a sailor who visited different countries including Germany and Spain, fell in love with women everywhere he went until he "sailed away into the setting sun." The lyrics suggest that Amsterdam holds a certain hypnotic power over visitors that alters their lives forever.


The song is a warning to sailors who live upon the seas, as the chorus repeatedly advises them to "beware" of the lure of Amsterdam. The lyrics describe the women of Amsterdam as "the devil's holy water by the dram" who offer false love and will "spend all your pay" until you die. The song paints a picture of Amsterdam as a city of sin and debauchery that can ruin a man's life.


Overall, The Dreadnoughts' "Amsterdam" is a cautionary tale that warns about the dangers of indulgence and excess. It shows how a visit to Amsterdam can lead to a life of addiction and downward spiral.


Line by Line Meaning

Johnny was an Englishman, from Derbyshire was he
Johnny was a man from Derbyshire, England


He had a wife so beautiful, had children one to three
He had a beautiful wife and three children


He loved them all so dearly, as only Johnny could
Johnny had a deep love for his family


And always did exactly as he should
He always did the right thing


Then one day he took a trip across the channel white
One day he took a trip across the English Channel


To where the streets are narrow, and bathed in crimson light
He went to Amsterdam, where the streets are narrow and the red light district is prominent


He lives there to this day inside his dirty rotten shell
He still lives in Amsterdam and has become lost in the seedy lifestyle


This British lion now becomes a lamb
He has become meek and submissive


Amsterdam!
The song's chorus, repeating the name of the city


William was a sailor, upon the raging main
William was a sailor who traveled the ocean


Made port in London, Boston, New York, Germany and Spain
He made stops in various cities and countries on his voyages


He loved the girls so dearly, until their hearts were won
William had a love for women, but only until he won them over


Then sailed away into the setting sun
After winning a woman's heart, he would leave and continue his travels


Breakfast on the table, Porter when you're dry
A reference to the services provided by prostitutes in Amsterdam


She'll love you in the morning, she'll love you 'till you die
Prostitutes will offer love and companionship, but only for as long as they are paid


She'll love you 'till the day she's spent all your pay
Once a prostitute has taken all the money from a client, she will no longer offer affection


She's the devil's holy water by the dram
Prostitutes are like temptation that can ruin a man, often seductive and sinful


So come all ye sailors, who live upon the main
A call to all sailors who live and work on the ocean


Remember dear old Johnny when he left upon that train
To remember Johnny, who went to Amsterdam and became trapped in the city's vices


He wanders round old Amsterdam a-lookin' for his fix
Johnny is aimlessly wandering around Amsterdam looking for a cure for his addiction


And Willy's life is never free of kicks
William's life is always full of obstacles and struggles




Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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