WHAT ENGLAND MEANS TO ME BY SONNY GREEN PART

ere’s what England means to me.

Here’s what England will always mean to me.

When it’s sunny, it’s too hot. When it’s cold, the weather’s rubbish.

Nothing’s ever quite good enough — and that’s exactly how we like it.

England to me is a cup of tea — “How many sugars?” — “None, I’m sweet enough.”

It’s sarcasm, banter, bravado — the way we talk without saying much at all.

It’s not “Where are you from?” — it’s “Who do you support?”

It’s: “How’s your mum? She alright? Cool.”

England to me is Tesco meal deals — don’t forget your Clubcard.

It’s sweet and sour chicken balls, Hong Kong special fried rice.

It’s two pints of lager and a packet of crisps…

“Yeah yeah, you are really fit, but my gosh don’t you just know it.”

It’s Thursday feeling like little Friday, Friday feeling like half a day.

It’s being on a long journey — “Are we there yet?”

It’s “two seconds” that really means five minutes away.

England to me is Turkish barbers with the sharpest trim.

It’s the shopkeeper letting you off 20p when you’re short.

It’s English neighbours saying “Happy Eid, mate,”

and Muslim mums saying “Merry Christmas, love.”

It’s Diwali lights down the high street,

and everyone round the same table sharing food.

It’s Scousers singing “Mo Salah, Salah!”

And Gooners chanting “Ian Wright, Wright, Wright!”

It’s Bob Marley and reggae, Oasis on karaoke,

Sweet Caroline on the terraces, Three Lions every summer.

You think you’ve seen flags? Wait till the World Cup hits America…

Then you’ll know about flags, my son.

Don’t believe the news.

Don’t believe the political parties.

Here’s what I believe:

Let’s have a proper party.

All are welcome — just leave your politics at the door,

and bring your best karaoke voice.

We’ll play Twister and Monopoly till it gets late.

Because here’s what England means to me:

It’s loving each other — no matter what colour you are,

where you come from, or who your God is.

Because when I look in your eyes,

I see me reflecting back.

And I’ll never forget that.

I’ll never forget what my Nan told me:

“If you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all.

Life’s too short to worry what people think.

Keep smiling. Keep getting on with it.

Because this is England.

Wether your staple diet is Mash Potato or Rice

it’s ALWAYS nice to be important… but more important to be Nice.