The 1991 album Every Man Every Woman Is A Star was released to rave reviews and the band signed to Blanco y Negro from where they released the folk-influenced follow-up United Kingdoms featured Robert Wyatt and the jazzier Bel Air. After releasing a compliation of old material the band called it a day.
In late 2011 reports of a new single called Find A Way appeared in Wire magazine
2. Ultramarine is the industrial metal band from Russia, Khabarovsk. Formed in 2009 by the leader of the group - Gleb Mordovtsev.
3. Ultramarine used to be a frech jazz fusion band. Members: Nguyên Lê, Mokhtar Samba, Etienne M'Bappé, Mario Canonge.
4. Ultramarine is a Canadian alternative / shoegaze band formed in Montréal in 2021. Their self-titled debut EP was released in 2022.
Kingdom
Ultramarine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But, at our plastic power,
The mould at the lording's feet will grow
Into palace and church and tower
Then prostrate fall - in the rich man's hall,
And cringe at the rich man's door;
We're not too low to build the wall,
But too low to tread the floor.
To the hell of the deep sunk mines,
But we gather the proudest gems that glow,
When the crown of a despot shines.
And whenever he lacks - upon our backs
Fresh loads he designs to lay;
We're far too low to vote the tax,
But not too low to pay.
We're low - we're low - we're very very low,
Yet from our fingers glide
The silken flow - and the robes that glow
Round the limbs of the sons of pride.
And what we get - and what we give -
We know, and we know our share;
We're not too low the cloth to weave,
But too low the cloth to wear!
The first verse of "Kingdom" by Ultramarine speaks to the reality of social and economic inequality. The opening line, "We're low - we're low - mere rabble, we know," suggests that the singers are part of the working class, with little power or status compared to the wealthy elite. However, they also acknowledge that their labor and industry can create great wealth, and that they have the ability to build the very structures that symbolize that wealth - palaces, churches, and towers. Despite this, the singer notes the power dynamics at play: they may build, but they will still be subordinate, forced to "prostrate fall" and "cringe" before the rich.
The second verse describes the physical labor involved in mining precious gems, which are ultimately used to ornament the powerful. The miners are once again reminded of their lowly status, as they are "too low to tread the floor" of the mansions they are enriching. The final lines of the verse are particularly striking: the workers may not have the right to vote, but they certainly feel the burden of taxation. They are "not too low to pay," suggesting that they are constantly taxed without representation, a classic form of oppression. In the third and final verse, the singers turn to textile production, another form of labor often associated with working-class women. They are skilled enough to "weave the cloth," but unable to "wear" the products of their labor, as those are reserved for the wealthy. Again, the workers are acutely aware of their marginalization, but also their importance to the economy and society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
We're low - we're low - mere rabble, we know
We acknowledge that our position in society is unprivileged and inferior.
But, at our plastic power,
However, we have the ability to create and build using the limited resources available to us.
The mould at the lording's feet will grow
Our creations will eventually become grand and impressive enough to be noticed and utilized by the wealthy and powerful upper class.
Into palace and church and tower
Our buildings will become grand structures that serve as symbols of wealth, status, and power.
Then prostrate fall - in the rich man's hall,
However, even with our creations being utilized by the rich, we are still beneath them and must submit to their authority and power when in their presence.
And cringe at the rich man's door;
We must show respect and deference to the rich, even when our creations and labor are what uphold their wealth and status.
We're not too low to build the wall,
We have the ability and skills to build and create, despite being lower on the social hierarchy.
But too low to tread the floor.
However, we are still not equal to the upper class and cannot enjoy the luxury and comfort that they do.
Down, down we go - we're so very low,
Our position in society is constantly lowering and we are being pushed down into lower levels of poverty.
To the hell of the deep sunk mines,
We are forced to work in dangerous and exploitative factories and mines to survive.
But we gather the proudest gems that glow,
Despite our terrible conditions, we are the ones who gather the precious materials and gems that make the rich appear even more impressive.
When the crown of a despot shines.
We are the ones who make the rulers appear powerful and royal with our creations and the materials we gather for them.
And whenever he lacks - upon our backs
However, as soon as the rich lack anything, we are the first to be exploited and burdened with extra work and demands.
Fresh loads he designs to lay;
The rich are always finding new ways to burden us with labor and further exploit our position in society.
We're far too low to vote the tax,
Despite our contributions to society, we are not allowed to participate in the political process or have any say in how taxes are collected and used.
But not too low to pay.
However, we are still required to pay taxes and contribute to society, even though we have no voice in shaping it.
We're low - we're low - we're very very low,
Our position in society is repeatedly emphasized as being very low.
Yet from our fingers glide
Despite our low position, we have the skills and abilities to create beautiful and impressive things.
The silken flow - and the robes that glow
We are the ones who create the luxurious and expensive clothing that the upper class wears.
Round the limbs of the sons of pride.
Our creations are used to adorn and glorify the wealthy and arrogant members of society.
And what we get - and what we give -
We understand the value of our own labor and the contributions we make to society.
We know, and we know our share;
We are aware of the inequality and exploitation we face in society, but we also know our own worth and what we are owed.
We're not too low the cloth to weave,
We have the ability and skills to create the very fabric that society is built on.
But too low the cloth to wear!
However, we are still not able to enjoy the fruits of our labor and creations, as we cannot afford to wear the very clothing we make.
Writer(s): Robert Wyatt, Ian Harvey Cooper, Paul John Hammond
Contributed by Xavier M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.