Englishman In New York
majiko Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
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
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

Overall Meaning

"Majiko’s song Englishman in New York" is a song about a man who is feeling out of place in his new surroundings. He is from England and has moved to New York, and he talks about his different habits and behavior from what is expected in New York. The first verse talks about his preference for tea rather than coffee, and how he likes his toast done on one side. The chorus repeats the lines "Oh, I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m an Englishman in New York" emphasizing his sense of being an outsider. He takes pride in the things that make him different from the people around him, and he acknowledges that "manners maketh man" (a phrase meaning good manners and etiquette are what make a gentleman). He takes pride in his own propriety while lamenting that other people in society do not value the same qualities as he does.


The song is characterized by its smooth jazz-like melodies and soulful singing that gives the impression of a mournful yet confident man walking down Fifth Avenue. The lyrics carry themes of Individuality, cultural differences, gentle living, and in-depth expression. It is an anthem for society’s outsiders and stands as a powerful reminder of how we can all stand up for our own beliefs and values in a world where they may not always be accepted.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I prefer tea over coffee as my morning beverage.


I like my toast done on one side
I enjoy my toast lightly toasted on one side only.


And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My accent reveals that I am from England.


I'm an Englishman in New York
I am a British citizen living in New York City.


See me walking down Fifth Avenue
Observe me taking a stroll through Fifth Avenue.


A walking cane here at my side
I carry a walking cane with me wherever I go.


I take it everywhere I walk
I bring my walking cane with me every time I go out.


Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I may feel like an outsider living in a foreign country, but I have the right to live here legally.


If "manners maketh man" as someone said
As someone we know famously said, good manners are important for one's personal development and reputation.


He's the hero of the day
Someone who exemplifies good manners is worthy of admiration and praise.


It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
It takes a strong person to endure ignorance from others with a positive attitude.


Be yourself no matter what they say
It is important to remain true to oneself in the face of criticism or pressure from others.


Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Sometimes being careful and reserved can draw unwanted attention and criticism.


You could end up as the only one
You may find yourself being the only person who behaves modestly and politely.


Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
It is uncommon to see people who are calm, kind, and restrained in today's world.


At night a candle's brighter than the sun
In certain circumstances, even a small light can provide more illumination than the brightest of suns.


Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Being a true 'man' involves more than just physical strength and weaponry.


Takes more than a license for a gun
Simply possessing a license to carry a gun does not make one a 'real man.'


Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
While it is important to stand up to one's enemies, sometimes it is best to avoid conflict altogether.


A gentleman will walk but never run
A true gentleman will remain composed and calm, even in urgent or trying circumstances.




Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions