In an interview with Spin Magazine, Case explains the point of the song:
It’s just one of those things that when you’re somewhere and you’re looking at a flag, you’re thinking, How did that image get on that flag? There’s a lot of lions associated with England, and yet lions are completely extinct...
[Verse 1]
Early in the mornin' where there used to be a slough
There's a tiny business lake, don't let the cattails fool you
Down in the bottom where nothing is born
Sleeps a silver dollar with your face thereon
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Wish I could trace the frowning compass of your mouth
Drop a Mercury dime down a Roman drain and summon Mars
[Chorus 1]
Last lion of Albion
They'll use you for centuries to come
They'll steal your patents for the sun
And you'll feel extinction
When you see your face on their money
[Verse 2]
Late in the heavens that are already bought
Sleeps a red planet in the galaxy of a lion's thoughts
On the surface, every tendon and intended machine
Is gonna buckle, knuckle, kneel on a carpet of lion's tongues
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Wish I could stand in the spray at the cliff of your sweet revenge
Ocean of naked serrated marble crushing in
[Chorus 1]
Last lion of Albion
They'll use you for centuries to come
They'll steal your patents for the sun
And you'll feel extinction
[Chorus 2]
Last lion of Albion
They'll use you for centuries to come
Your wound's the main road into London
You'll feel extinction
When you see your face on their money
[Chorus 3]
Last lion of Albion
The last she-wolf to mother Rome
The last virgin to wash ashore
You'll feel extinction
[Chorus 4]
Last lion of Albion
The last of the Mohicans, gone
The last cedars of Lebanon
You'll feel extinction
[Chorus 5]
Last lion of Albion
Last tiger of Tasmania
The last she-wolf to suckle Rome
You'll feel extinction
When you see your face, face on their money
Last Lion of Albion was written by Jeff Galegher & Paul Rigby & Neko Case.
Last Lion of Albion was produced by Björn Yttling & Neko Case.
Neko Case released Last Lion of Albion on Fri Jun 01 2018.