England's Imperial Legacy from Heart of Darkness to 1978 and Beyond

Europe's unsavory imperialistic behavior is well documented in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Though the book focuses on the horrendous acts of the Belgian government as opposed to the English, the author's criticisms apply to both countries, because their actions were not so different. Both countries share a sense or entitlement and superiority over their colonial holdings. This sentiment remains constant in Britain's foreign policy from the time Heart of Darkness was published (1899), to 1978 when the song, "Oliver's Army" was written by Elvis Costello. This song reviews Britain's long history of global exploitation and interference in a cynical tone similar to that of Marlow in HOD.

Don't start that talkingI could talk all nightMy mind goes sleepwalkingWhile I'm putting the world to rightCalled careers information Have you got yourself an occupation?

Here Costello criticizes the government's relentless search for recruits to feed the army and therefore growing conflict abroad.

Chorus:]Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today

The chorus refers to Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England in 1653, who helped establish the country's militant legacy by invading Ireland and ravaging the population. The second half of the stanza speaks to the public's distaste for their 

government's foreign policy.

There was a checkpoint Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
But it's no laughing party
When you've been on the murder mile
Only takes one itchy trigger
One more widow, one less white n*****

This is a comment on how easy and mundane the death of a non-Englishman is. They are merely a statistic to be filed along with the other casualties.

[Chorus]

Hong Kong is up for grabs
London is full of Arabs
We could be in Palestine
Overrun by a Chinese line
With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne

Britain has never been good about showing compassion to other countries/ cultures. That is why Costello references the British occupation of Hong Kong and the increasing population of Arabs in London, battling for equality. The references to Palestine and the Korean war emphasize the scale and frequency of Britain's involvement in other countries' affairs. 

But there's no danger
It's a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear

This stanza comments on the government's tendency to deceive the public. They claim that there is honor in military service, but they fail to mention the immense danger and sacrifice that is also a consequence. 

If you're out of luck or out of work
We could send you to Johannesburg

This last line is a jab at British colonization of South Africa. The government's policy was to send anyone to Africa who was willing to go, so that they could solidify their presence in the country. 

Though it can be said that England has curbed its global military presence, the intolerance and hatred it displayed overseas is still abundant domestically. Just like in many western countries, England is facing a dilemma with the handling of Muslim immigrants. Fear mongering and bigotry have claimed control over England's elections, ensuring the ascendance of conservative David Cameron and his anti-immigration policies.