Promised Land is a b-side from the 1989 James single Come Home. A live acoustic version also appeared on a US radio promo CD called A Certain Damage 44 in 1992.
It was a very direct attack on the Conservative then-Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher. Tim wrote the lyrics on the way to the studio when the band were recording Sit Down in Sheffield at the time of the Hillsborough football tragedy where Mrs Thatcher was using visiting the survivors as photo-opportunities.
Given the unrest with the government and the opposition to the poll tax, the song was rapturously received every time it was played, the reaction often prompting the band to stop the show for several minutes and causing Larry to cry on a couple of occasions.
Details
LyricsReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
I'll settle down and watch some television
Watch the news
Confronted by an ugly politician
And her ugly views
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
In your promised land
In your promised land
She is at the scene of every disaster
Shaking hands
Circling the corpses like a vulture
Coming into land
I don't belong
Here, I don't belong
Here, in your promised land
In your promised land
Never tell the truth
Look them in the eye
Soften up the voice
Justify a lie
Smother us in blue
Smother us in rust
Images are true
Images we trust
Promise us a home
Sell us what we own
Give the dog a bone
Dog a, dog a bone
You are the one
Ever so strong
Never be wrong
Never be wrong
The people of my country are divided
By her greed
Money is directed to ambition
Not to need
Now the scum is really floating to the surface
Of the sea
Everything she touches is infected
Including me
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
In your promised land
Watch the news
Confronted by an ugly politician
And her ugly views
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
In your promised land
In your promised land
She is at the scene of every disaster
Shaking hands
Circling the corpses like a vulture
Coming into land
I don't belong
Here, I don't belong
Here, in your promised land
In your promised land
Never tell the truth
Look them in the eye
Soften up the voice
Justify a lie
Smother us in blue
Smother us in rust
Images are true
Images we trust
Promise us a home
Sell us what we own
Give the dog a bone
Dog a, dog a bone
You are the one
Ever so strong
Never be wrong
Never be wrong
The people of my country are divided
By her greed
Money is directed to ambition
Not to need
Now the scum is really floating to the surface
Of the sea
Everything she touches is infected
Including me
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
In your promised land
| Song: | Promised Land |
| Released: | 20th November 1989 |
| Main Associated Album (or Single): | Come Home (1989) |
| First Heard Live: | Nottingham Trent Poly – 17th June 1989 |
- Come Home – Rough Trade white label promo :Promo, Single, 1989
- Come Home (1989) :Studio, Single, 1989
- Rock Over London: Promised Land #92/13 :Promo, Album, 1992
- A Certain Damage Volume 44 (Disc 2) :Compilation (non James), Album, 1992
- New York The Ritz – 1st November 1992
- Chicago Riviera – 13th October 1992
- Radio Europe Black Session – 30th April 1992
- Minneapolis First Avenue – 14th March 1992
- Rock Over London – March 1992
- Blackpool Empress Ballroom – 4th August 1990
- Glastonbury Festival – 23rd June 1990
- Liverpool Royal Court – 15th June 1990
- Manchester Apollo – 4th December 1989
- Nottingham Trent Polytechnic – 2nd December 1989
- London Town And Country Club – 28th November 1989
- Liverpool University – 25th November 1989
- Edinburgh Carlton – 17th November 1989
- Bradford Futurama Festival – 1st October 1989
- London Marquee Club – 4th July 1989
- London Marquee Club – 3rd July 1989
- GLR London Radio – June 1989
- Bristol Bierkeller – 19th June 1989
- Nottingham Trent Poly – 17th June 1989
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