Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk-rock
Song Meaning of “Repeal Of The Licensing Laws – Live At The Olympia, Paris / 2012” by The Pogues
The song ‘Repeal Of The Licensing Laws’ by The Pogues is a spirited and passionate anthem that calls for the end of restrictive laws and censorship in Ireland. It is a timely reminder that freedom of expression and individual liberty should not be taken for granted. As the title implies, the song refers to the battle in the 1970s and 1980s to repeal the restrictive licensing laws in Ireland that dictated when a person could drink and where they could drink it. The band expresses a deep frustration through their fast-paced and energized playing, demonstrating that the struggle for personal freedom is not something that they were willing to tolerate.
Through the chorus, The Pogues express the hope for ‘repeal of the Licensing Laws’ and that restriction-free drinking will be the norm. They also ascribe a form of strength and unity to drinking by noting how it is ‘our habit and our way’, symbolically connecting the freedom of drinking with the fight for personal freedom. Through the line ‘raise the roof, rise up strong’, the band conveys a call for the people of Ireland to stand together and demand their rights back. The song’s passionate and passionate lyrics provide a rallying call for those seeking justice and liberation.