Legal Illegal lyrics and guitar chords
written by Ewan McColl and recorded by Irish singer Frances Black
who's better known for her big hit All The Lies That You Told Me song by
singer songwriter Christie Hennessy.
[G]Every time you[D] pick up a news[G]paper,
Every[C] time you switch[G] on the T[D7].V.,
You can[C] bet your old[G] boots that at[C] some point you'll[G] see,
A [C]high[G] ranking [D]Garda or[G] else a[D] T.C]D.
Calling[G] on all[C] who are[G] meant to[C] be [G]free,
To[C] stand [G]up and [G]defend law and[D7] or[G]der.
It's illegal to rip off a payroll,
It's illegal to hold up a train,
But it's legal to rip off a million or two,
That comes from the labour that other folk do,
To plunder the many on behalf of the few,
Is a thing that is perfectly legal.
It's illegal to kill off your landlord
Or to trespass upon his estate
But to charge a high rent for a slum is O.K.
To condemn two adults and three children to stay
In a hovel that's rotten with damp and decay
It's a thing that is perfectly legal.
If your job turns you into a zombie
Then it's legal to feel some despair
But don't get aggressive and don't get too smart
For ''''' sake don't upset the old applecart
Remember you boss has your interest at heart
And it grieves him to see you unhappy.
If you fashion a bomb in your kitchen,
You're guilty of breaking the law,
But a bloody great nuclear plant is O.K.,
And plutonium processing hastens the day,
This tight little isle will be blasted away,
Nonetheless it is perfectly legal.
It's illegal if you are a traveler,
To camp by the side of the road,
But it's proper and right for the rich and the great,
To live in a mansion or own an estate,
That was got from the people by pillage and rape,
That is what they call a tradition.
It's illegal to kill off your missus,
Or put poison in your old man's tea,
But poison the river's the seas or the skies,
And poison the minds of a nation with lies,
It's all in the interest of free enterprise,
Nonetheless it's perfectly legal.
Well it's legal to sing on the telly,
But make bloody sure that you don't,
To sing about racists and fascists and creeps,
And those in high places who live off the weak,
And hose who are selling us right up the creek,
The twisters, the takers, the conmen, the fakers,
The whole bloody gang of exploiters.
who's better known for her big hit All The Lies That You Told Me song by
singer songwriter Christie Hennessy.
[G]Every time you[D] pick up a news[G]paper,
Every[C] time you switch[G] on the T[D7].V.,
You can[C] bet your old[G] boots that at[C] some point you'll[G] see,
A [C]high[G] ranking [D]Garda or[G] else a[D] T.C]D.
Calling[G] on all[C] who are[G] meant to[C] be [G]free,
To[C] stand [G]up and [G]defend law and[D7] or[G]der.
It's illegal to rip off a payroll,
It's illegal to hold up a train,
But it's legal to rip off a million or two,
That comes from the labour that other folk do,
To plunder the many on behalf of the few,
Is a thing that is perfectly legal.
It's illegal to kill off your landlord
Or to trespass upon his estate
But to charge a high rent for a slum is O.K.
To condemn two adults and three children to stay
In a hovel that's rotten with damp and decay
It's a thing that is perfectly legal.
If your job turns you into a zombie
Then it's legal to feel some despair
But don't get aggressive and don't get too smart
For ''''' sake don't upset the old applecart
Remember you boss has your interest at heart
And it grieves him to see you unhappy.
If you fashion a bomb in your kitchen,
You're guilty of breaking the law,
But a bloody great nuclear plant is O.K.,
And plutonium processing hastens the day,
This tight little isle will be blasted away,
Nonetheless it is perfectly legal.
It's illegal if you are a traveler,
To camp by the side of the road,
But it's proper and right for the rich and the great,
To live in a mansion or own an estate,
That was got from the people by pillage and rape,
That is what they call a tradition.
It's illegal to kill off your missus,
Or put poison in your old man's tea,
But poison the river's the seas or the skies,
And poison the minds of a nation with lies,
It's all in the interest of free enterprise,
Nonetheless it's perfectly legal.
Well it's legal to sing on the telly,
But make bloody sure that you don't,
To sing about racists and fascists and creeps,
And those in high places who live off the weak,
And hose who are selling us right up the creek,
The twisters, the takers, the conmen, the fakers,
The whole bloody gang of exploiters.
Here are the chords in the key of D
[D]Every time you[A] pick up a news[D]paper,
Every[G] time you switch[D] on the T[A7].V.,
You can[G] bet your old[D] boots that at[G] some point you'll[D] see,
A [G]high[D] ranking [A]Garda or[D] else a[A] T.CD.
Calling[D] on all[G] who are[D] meant to[G] be [D]free,
To[G] stand [D]up and [D]defend law and[A7] or[D]der.
[D]Every time you[A] pick up a news[D]paper,
Every[G] time you switch[D] on the T[A7].V.,
You can[G] bet your old[D] boots that at[G] some point you'll[D] see,
A [G]high[D] ranking [A]Garda or[D] else a[A] T.CD.
Calling[D] on all[G] who are[D] meant to[G] be [D]free,
To[G] stand [D]up and [D]defend law and[A7] or[D]der.
Songwriter Eyan McColl
About The Song.
"Legal Illegal" is a powerful and biting satirical folk song that critically examines the double standards and hypocrisy often found in the legal and social systems. It's not a traditional Irish folk song in origin, but it has become widely known and performed within the Irish folk scene.
Here's a breakdown of the song:
Songwriter: The song was written by the renowned British folk singer, songwriter, and playwright Ewan MacColl (1915-1989). MacColl was famous for his politically charged and socially conscious songs, often reflecting on the lives of working-class people, industrial struggles, and injustices.
Theme and Meaning: The central theme of "Legal Illegal" is the stark contrast between what is deemed "illegal" for the common person versus what is considered "perfectly legal" for those in positions of power, wealth, or influence. Through a series of sharp, often darkly humorous, juxtapositions, MacColl highlights the inherent unfairness of a system where:
Financial Crime vs. Exploitation: "It's illegal to rip off a payroll, it's illegal to hold up a train / But it's legal to rip off a million or two that comes from the labour that other folk do." This is a classic critique of capitalism and corporate greed.
Housing Inequality: "It's illegal to kill off your landlord, or to trespass upon his estate / But to charge a high rent for a slum is OK, to condemn two adults and three children to stay in a hovel that's rotten with damp and decay, it's a thing that is perfectly legal." This speaks to housing injustice and the power imbalances between landlords and tenants.
Environmental Damage: "It's illegal to kill off your missus, or put poison in your old man's tea / But poison the rivers, the seas, and the skies, and poison the minds of a nation with lies / If it's done in the interest of Free Enterprise, then it's proper and perfectly legal." This points to the legal impunity often enjoyed by corporations causing environmental destruction or spreading misinformation.
Freedom of Expression: The song also touches on the limits of free speech, suggesting that while it's "legal to sing on the telly," it's not okay to sing about "racists and fascists and creeps, and those in high places who live off the weak."
Impact and Popularity in Ireland: While written by a British artist, "Legal Illegal" resonated deeply within the Irish folk music community due to its universal themes of social injustice, class struggle, and anti-establishment sentiment. Many Irish artists have performed it, with Frances Black having a well-known version that is often heard. Its message aligns well with the tradition of Irish protest and rebel songs that speak truth to power.
"Legal Illegal" remains a powerful and relevant song, a testament to Ewan Coll's skill in using folk music as a vehicle for sharp social and political commentary.
"Legal Illegal" is a powerful and biting satirical folk song that critically examines the double standards and hypocrisy often found in the legal and social systems. It's not a traditional Irish folk song in origin, but it has become widely known and performed within the Irish folk scene.
Here's a breakdown of the song:
Songwriter: The song was written by the renowned British folk singer, songwriter, and playwright Ewan MacColl (1915-1989). MacColl was famous for his politically charged and socially conscious songs, often reflecting on the lives of working-class people, industrial struggles, and injustices.
Theme and Meaning: The central theme of "Legal Illegal" is the stark contrast between what is deemed "illegal" for the common person versus what is considered "perfectly legal" for those in positions of power, wealth, or influence. Through a series of sharp, often darkly humorous, juxtapositions, MacColl highlights the inherent unfairness of a system where:
Financial Crime vs. Exploitation: "It's illegal to rip off a payroll, it's illegal to hold up a train / But it's legal to rip off a million or two that comes from the labour that other folk do." This is a classic critique of capitalism and corporate greed.
Housing Inequality: "It's illegal to kill off your landlord, or to trespass upon his estate / But to charge a high rent for a slum is OK, to condemn two adults and three children to stay in a hovel that's rotten with damp and decay, it's a thing that is perfectly legal." This speaks to housing injustice and the power imbalances between landlords and tenants.
Environmental Damage: "It's illegal to kill off your missus, or put poison in your old man's tea / But poison the rivers, the seas, and the skies, and poison the minds of a nation with lies / If it's done in the interest of Free Enterprise, then it's proper and perfectly legal." This points to the legal impunity often enjoyed by corporations causing environmental destruction or spreading misinformation.
Freedom of Expression: The song also touches on the limits of free speech, suggesting that while it's "legal to sing on the telly," it's not okay to sing about "racists and fascists and creeps, and those in high places who live off the weak."
Impact and Popularity in Ireland: While written by a British artist, "Legal Illegal" resonated deeply within the Irish folk music community due to its universal themes of social injustice, class struggle, and anti-establishment sentiment. Many Irish artists have performed it, with Frances Black having a well-known version that is often heard. Its message aligns well with the tradition of Irish protest and rebel songs that speak truth to power.
"Legal Illegal" remains a powerful and relevant song, a testament to Ewan Coll's skill in using folk music as a vehicle for sharp social and political commentary.
