☝️ Key Points
- The song is about two cousins who refuse to enlist in the military and fight against their beliefs.
- They defy authority and mock the idea of going to war.
- The cousins fight against the soldiers and defeat them to defend their freedom.
- The song encourages listeners to find their own voice and stand up for what they believe in.
- It is an anthem of resilience and courage to resist oppression and coercion.
Interpretation
In the song lyrics "Arthur McBride" by
Christy Moore, it is about two cousins, Arthur McBride and the singer himself, who walk along the sea in search of their fortune. They encounter Sergeant Harpur, Corporal Cramp, and a little drummer, who try to convince them to enlist in the military. The sergeant offers them money and rewards to persuade them to sign up and fight for the king.
However, the cousins decline and mock the idea of going to war and potentially being killed. They refuse to obey the sergeant and give up their freedom. Instead, they fight against the soldiers and defeat them with their sticks. They take the drummer's bag and throw his drum into the sea.
The story of the song shows courage and rebellion against authority. The cousins stand for independence and freedom, and refuse to fight for something they don't believe in. They are willing to stand up for their beliefs and resist unjust orders.
The song lyrics "Arthur McBride" by Christy Moore encourage listeners to find their own voice and stand up for what they believe in. It is an anthem of resilience and courage to resist oppression and coercion.