Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: goth
Song Meaning of “Smalltown England” by New Model Army
‘Smalltown England’ by New Model Army is a nostalgic ode to the rural life in quaint English towns. The narrator reminisces fondly about being surrounded by the familiar innocence and beauty of nature in the small town, set in sharp contrast to the harsh realities of the outside world.
The lyrics describe the beauty of the region with its lush green hills and its winding paths that carry the music of birds and streams. The narrator recalls how he would “wander through the golden woods”, relishing the opportunity to escape the frenetic pace of the city and the life it brings. He remembers the familiar characters of the small town and their willingness to help anyone who needed it.
The lyrics also hint at the more difficult side of small town life, mentioning “old stories of forgotten happiness” and the tough road ahead of many young people growing up in rural communities. Although there is “nothing left to see” in the small town, the narrator insists on staying, hopeful that he can find happiness in the simplicity of the place.
‘Smalltown England’ is ultimately a poignant tribute to the English countryside and its inhabitants, who continue to endure and persevere, even when the odds are against them.