Old England
Waterboys · This Is The Sea [1985]
man looks up on a yellow sky
and the rain turns to rust in his eye
rumours of his health are lies
old england is dying
his clothes are dirty shade of blue
and his ancient shoes worn through
he steals from me and he lies to you
old england is dying
still he sings an empires song
and he keeps his navy strong
and he sticks his flag where it ill belongs
old england is dying
you're asking what makes me sigh now
what it is makes me shudder so
well
I just FREEZE in the wind
and I'm numb from the pummeling of the snow
that falls from high in yellow skies
where the time stained of england flies
Where the homes are warm and the mothers sigh
where comedians laugh and babies cry
where criminals are televised politicians fraternize
journalists are dignified and everyone is civilised
and children stare with heroin eyes
Old England!
evening has fallen
the swans are singing
the last of Sundays bells is ringing
the wind in the trees is sighing
and old england is dying
Old England
Old England stands as a defining track on The Waterboys' 1985 album This Is The Sea, capturing the band's signature Big Music sound. Mike Scott's songwriting blends rock energy with folk storytelling, creating an expansive sonic landscape that became central to the group's identity during this era. The recording reflects the band's exploration of Irish and English traditions, weaving together electric instrumentation with lyrical themes of history and place. As part of a celebrated discography that includes works like A Pagan Place and Fisherman's Blues, this song exemplifies the group's ability to merge poetic narrative with powerful musical arrangements. It remains a key song in their catalogue, showcasing the atmospheric depth and emotional resonance that have influenced countless rock and folk musicians since the mid-1980s.