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The only single from ‘Setting Sons’, ‘Eton Rifles’ was a fairly standard broad-spectrum yell at society from Paul Weller. It makes obvious reference throughout its punchy lyrics to class struggle and inter-class hatred, consistently referring to bravado and violence.
The song refers to a street fig...
[Verse 1]
Sup up your beer and collect your fags
There's a row going on down near Slough
Get out your mat and pray to the West
I'll get out mine and pray for myself
[Verse 2]
Thought you were smart when you took them on
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?
[Chorus]
Hello-hurray, what a nice day
For the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Hello-hurray, I hope rain stops play
For the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
[Verse 3]
Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse
Tore down the House of Commons in your brand new shoes
Composed a revolutionary symphony
Then went to bed with a charming young thing
[Chorus]
Hello-hurray, cheers then, mate
It's the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Hello-hurray, an extremist scrape
With the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
[Bridge]
What a catalyst you turned out to be
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea
Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy
What a catalyst you turned out to be
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea
Left me standing like a naughty schoolboy
[Verse 4]
We came out of it naturally the worst
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt
We were no match for their untamed wit
Though some of the lads said they'd be back next week
[Chorus]
Hello-hurray, it's the price to pay
To the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Hello-hurray, I'd prefer the plague
To the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Hello-hurray, it's the price to pay
To the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Hello-hurray, I'd prefer the plague
To the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
[Outro]
Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles
The Eton Rifles was written by Paul Weller.
The Eton Rifles was produced by The Jam & Vic Coppersmith-Heaven.
The Jam released The Eton Rifles on Fri Oct 26 1979.