Written by: David Porter

Bedecked in a black fedora and dark shades, Paddy McAloon, chief songwriter and founder of Prefab Sprout, one of the all-time great British pop bands, a list which includes Aztec Camera, The Smiths and Teenage Fanclub, has sent a missive from his Durham home to exhort America to remain true to its promise to immigrants:

America, America

Liberty welcomes everyone

America, America

Now she’s blushing in the sun

Don’t reject the stranger, knocking at your door

An orphan child, exiled by war

She may become a doctor

And work among the poor

A scientist who finds a cure….

The immigrant, as you well know, is drawn to freedom’s light

America, do what’s right

It’s of course a perfect Prefab Sprout confection, a mix of major and minor chords and McAloon’s exquisite tenor. The lyrics to “America are reminiscent of the lyrics to the band’s 1991 single, “The Sound of Crying” (found on A Life of Surprises – The Best of Prefab Sprout).

Hang out the flags a new world order’s on the way
Start singing now a song to greet the joyful day
Just when we thought the time was right for celebrating
with music of the spheres
What’s this, another boat of fleeing refugees on a
sea of children’s tears

Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth

Is there an album to follow? It’s unknown, but like every other Prefab Sprout, song it will set you to dreaming – and humming. Do what’s right – don’t resist.