Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk-rock
Song Meaning of “Young Ned Of The Hill – Live At The Olympia, Paris / 2012” by The Pogues
Young Ned of the Hill is a folk ballad by The Pogues that tells the story of the titular nobleman Ned Pepper whose home is overlooked by a hill. The song paints a vivid cliched picture of a small hilltop community living a content and humble life, and Ned’s reputation as a generous and nobleman that is popular among the people.
The first verse of the song paints a romanticized image of Ned and his community, emphasizing the honorable and generous man he is – as well as the ease and leisurely life he and his people enjoy: “Young Ned of the Hill, since the day that he was born, had no need of silver coins nor of clothes that are fine. He raises his blades with its story untold, and some grateful people make sure his table is set at its head”.
The second verse introduces a conflict to the story – the coming of a strong and powerful man. His bravado and show of force threaten to usurp the peaceful dominion of Ned and his people. The lyrics express both the surprise and fear of Ned himself as well as his community at the realization that they may have to defend their home from this unknown aggressor: “Young Ned of the Hill, was savage and bold as the sun sank to the west, though his folks could not guess, what was about to appear. On the horizon the stranger stood with his false promises to bring down the old regime”.