The history and politics of the English protest song

1982

English Girl

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Sister Audrey
Composer: Sister Audrey

There’s a barely suppressed fury beneath this song’s lithe melody. Written as a conversation between the singer and a Jamaican man, it registers protest that, even after 40 years in England, some people are required to submit papers to obtain the right to be an ‘English girl’. It is about immigration and about identity. The song received renewed attention in the aftermath of the Windrush generation scandal in 2018

Cause: Anti-racist | Feminist
Theme: Political Process | Identity | Rights
Addressed to: The Oppressed/targeted | Women
Target of Protest: Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Education | Common Sense