All of it, but particularly the line "though we
stood together at the edge of the platform,we were not moved by them".

 

It relates to the break up of my first marriage and to
the girl I met shortly afterwards. I was a peniless soldier and she was a local girl who met through mutual friends (my mate got off with her mate).
She was at least ten years my junior and very innocent.We had a short but fun relationship and every time I hear that line it reminds me of our times stood on wool (a small village in dorset) station waiting for the train.A literal translation of a Bragg lyric I know but its a great song that still makes me cry.

 

 

And the simple girl buys what shes told to
buy....

 

Are there simple girls anymore?

 

 

Please don't hand me your sympathy, if only to ease your
conscience. Im sure you'd rather step over me than cross this gulf between us.

 

I live in Northern Ireland. The line doesnt relate to me specifically, yet I feel for my country and the biggots dispersed throughout it, it could help clear their minds and open their eyes.

 

 

Who'll protect the workers when the bosses send there
LACKEY'S out to cheat us.

 

You work your bollocks off and theres always a weasle among you to drop you in it.. bastards

 

 

I broke up with someone around the time that Workers Playtime came out, but generally speaking it's the perfect way to get thoroughly and self-indulgently miserable about chicks in general. Excellent.

Sorry for using the word 'chicks' :)

 

 

A mate of mine met Bill after a show in 1989 and asked about whether the song was autobiographical.

Bill's response: "Yes, I was that wanker."

What a great moment - one man's brush with fame. We still remind him of it.

 

Denis

Just the words, that is all of them.

 

Been there done that,she loved me then she didn't, spent many a night with Billy singingabout my life, he helped get me through.

 

Thanks Billy I owe you one.

Arlo Guthrie said of the song (written by his father)

"'Deportee' is a good example of the endurance of his songs. I was in England not too long ago and saw some dead Chinese immigrants in a truck. Nobody knew their names.
With a few changes, 'Deportee' could have been written last week.

The world hasn't changed that much since my dad was writing."

 

I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet.

 

Well I think it means when the grey matter is soaked i.e. when you are too far gone with the booze . My wife always gets one over on me then......So yeah, I'm more impressionable.