The history and politics of the English protest song

1943

Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Noël Coward
Composer: Noël Coward

A typically witty Noel Coward ditty that was reputedly not well received by many wireless listeners who missed the heavy irony of the lyrics. Though the tide of the war was turning in Britain’s favour, it was not yet won. Accordingly, Coward applies a full house of slurs as he warns against allowing Germany to rebuild and recover after the war in a repeat of the rearmament of the 1930s.

Cause: Nationalist | Social Conservative
Theme: War and Peace
Addressed to: General Public
Target of Protest: Ethnic/National group
Proposal/Solution: Individual Responsibility | Persecution