Give Ireland Back To The Irish
Wings Lyrics


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Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today

Great Britain, you are tremendous
And nobody knows like me
But really, what are you doin'
In the land across the sea?

Tell me, how would you like it
If on your way to work
You were stopped by Irish soldiers?
Would you lie down, do nothing
Would you give in or go berserk?

Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today

Great Britain and all the people
Say that all people must be free
And meanwhile back in Ireland
There's a man who looks like me

And he dreams of god and country
And he's feeling really bad
And he's sitting in a prison
Say, should he lie down, do nothing
Should give in or go mad?

Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today

Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away




Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today (yeah, yeah)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" by Wings, a band led by former Beatles member Paul McCartney, revolve around the struggle for Irish independence from Great Britain. McCartney takes a firm and unambiguous stance in favor of Irish independence, calling for the return of the land to the Irish people, making Ireland Irish today. The song is a political protest song and highlights the frustration of the Irish people at the time, who had suffered for centuries under British rule.


The opening lines of the song convey the message that Ireland should be returned to the Irish instead of forcefully taking it away from them. The song expresses indignation over Great Britain's continued occupation of Ireland and the oppression and violence that Irish people have faced. McCartney's lyrics suggest that the British are ignorant of what they are doing to Ireland and its people. He compares this to an imaginary situation where the British are the ones being oppressed, bringing the issue close to home and urging his audience to empathize with the Irish people.


Ultimately, the call to action for the British to give Ireland back to the Irish is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of this issue to McCartney.


Line by Line Meaning

Give Ireland back to the Irish
Return sovereignty of Ireland to its people


Don't make them have to take it away
Don't force them to use violent means to reclaim it


Make Ireland Irish today
Respect Ireland's heritage and its unique culture


Great Britain, you are tremendous
The UK is a magnificent nation


And nobody knows like me
I have an intimate understanding of Great Britain


But really, what are you doin'
Why is the UK occupying another nation's land?


In the land across the sea?
Refers to Northern Ireland which is part of UK's territory


Tell me, how would you like it
How would UK react if they were in the same situation?


If on your way to work
Asks the listener to imagine a hypothetical situation


You were stopped by Irish soldiers?
Asks the listener to imagine a hypothetical scenario if Ireland has an army


Would you lie down, do nothing
Asks the listener if they would accept oppression and injustice


Would you give in or go berserk?
Asks the listener if they would resist or retaliate against oppression


Great Britain and all the people
The UK and its citizens


Say that all people must be free
The UK is a proponent of liberty and sovereignty for all countries


And meanwhile back in Ireland
Refers to the controversial situation in Northern Ireland


There's a man who looks like me
The artist identifies with the struggles of Irish people


And he dreams of god and country
The Irish people have a strong sense of patriotism


And he's feeling really bad
The singer empathizes with their strife


And he's sitting in a prison
Irish people are subject to unjust imprisonment


Say, should he lie down, do nothing
Asks if the Irish should accept their condition passively


Should give in or go mad?
Asks if the Irish should resort to radical measures if all else fails




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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