OK, Folks, you know the drill. Let’s gather in front of our large, 13″, Black and White TV set, and and watch as a tall, lanky man in a khaki uniform strides out, introduces himself as Sheriff John, and says:
“Kids, as you know, I try to grant requests for birthday songs. I know that not everyone likes polkas, although I can’t understand why. Today’s request is for a song from a British independent band called The Smiths, and goes something like this:”
He takes out his guitar, plucks an “A” note, says “This is for you, [assignment: name]“, and sings:
∰
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you’re evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(but I won’t cry)
Loved and lost
and some may say
when usuallly its Nothing
surely you’re happy
it should be this way?
I say “No, I’m gonna kill my dog”
and: “May the lines sag heavy
and deep tonight XXX”
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you’re evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(but I won’t cry)
Loved and lost
some people say
when usually its Nothing
surely you’re happy
it should be this way?
I said “No” and then I shot myself
so, drink, drink, drink
and be ill tonight
from the one you left behind
∰
It must be the generation gap, kids, because I have no idea what this song means.
