"Oliver's Army" is a song written by Elvis Costello, originally performed by Elvis Costello and The Attractions, and appearing on the album Armed Forces in 1979. It remains his most successful single, spending four weeks at number 2 in the UK Singles chart.
Overview
Some music critics, such as Simon Frith and others, have suggested that the title refers to Oliver Cromwell whose New Model Army was a forerunner to the modern British Army. A reference in the lyrics to "a word in Mister Churchill's ear" suggests, however, that the Oliver in question is Oliver Lyttelton, Churchill's President of the Board of Trade in the early stages of the Second World War. The Protected Occupations Act meant that any man not compelled to join the forces due to critically required trade skills was dubbed to be part of "Oliver's Army".
Of the song's meaning, Costello himself has stated: "I made my first trip to Belfast in 1978 and saw mere boys walking around in battle dress with automatic weapons. They were no longer just on the evening news. These snapshot experiences exploded into visions of mercenaries and imperial armies around the world. The song was based on the premise 'they always get a working class boy to do the killing'. I don't know who said that; maybe it was me, but it seems to be true nonetheless. I pretty much had the song sketched out on the plane back to London."
Don't start that talking I could talk all night My mind goes sleep walkin' While I'm puttin' the world to right Call careers information Got yourself an occupation Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else Than here today There was a checkpoint Charlie He didn't pack a smile But it's no laughing party When you've been on the murder mile Only takes one inch of trigger One more widow, one less white nigger Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else Than here today Hong Kong is up for grabs London is full of ab's We could be in Palestine Overrun by the chinese line With the boys from the mersey And the thames and the tyne But there's no danger It's a professional carrer Though it could be arranged With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear If you're out of luck or out of work We could send you to Johannesburg Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else Than here today And I would rather be anywhere else Than here today
According to the story of Hanukkah, an army ... The army wanted to ritually light the temple’s ceremonial lamp with pure olive oil as part of the rededication but found only enough oil to burn for one day.
Soon they would graduate from Army basic training ...Sebastian saw the Army as a means to a different life ... Rows of recruits in their brown and olive Army dress uniforms marched onto the parade ground to the cadence of a bass and two snare drums.
At the SPCRoss A ... Spc. Tom Amsboro, left, and Spc ... 22, 2024 ... Some soldiers played Dungeons and Dragons prior to joining the Army, but some were introduced to the game while serving ... BriannaOliver of the 8th Army Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion ... .
BrianOliver sat at the foot of his hotel bed on a Sunday morning... “I just assumed I’d be showing up to a bar full of expats,” Oliver said ... Oliver, 39, was born and raised in Baltimore ... On any such trip, Oliver will take a side quest to watch his team.
DirtyMartinis have been with us for around a century, the addition of olive brine falling in and out of favor over the years ...GrandArmy in Boerum Hill is running a Monday-only special in December.
By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Umit Bektas ... If you look inside the villa it is ridiculous," said Sayit Bayirli, a fighter from the FreeSyrianArmy of Turkmen origin at the compound. He said the land on which the resort was built used to be olive groves.
(ArmyWest PointFootball) ... Army’s helmets for the 2015 Army-Navy game ... Army’s uniform for the 2020 game was olive drab, and the helmets featured the division’s lightning patch and a nametape that read “Tropic Lightning.” (Nathan Burke/U.S ... Army) ... Army.
And at least until October 7th, you really literally could see Israeli soldiers protecting Palestinian farmers to harvest their olives, we’re right now toward the end of the olive harvest season, next to settlements or inside settlements.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army kidnapped two Lebanese citizens from the municipality of Ain Qinia in Hasbaya district while they were picking olives, said the report. The Israeli army said on social media ...
San Diego Union-Tribune
27 Dec 2024
San Diego Union-Tribune
27 Dec 2024