Song meaning of Leave My Monkey Alone by Warren Zevon

The song "Leave My Monkey Alone" by Warren Zevon appears to be set in the context of colonialism in Kenya. The lyrics depict the lives of the British colonizers and the conflict they faced with the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. The repetition of the phrase "Leave my monkey alone" in the chorus suggests a plea for the British to leave the native people and their land alone, to let them govern themselves and determine their own destiny.

The mention of the Masai roaming and the grass growing tall on the veldt represents the natural beauty and cultural richness of Kenya before the arrival of the colonizers. The line "In our old colonial home, we drank our bitters while the empire fell" speaks to the decline and ultimate demise of the British empire.

The lyrics also highlight the loss and fear experienced by the colonizers during the Mau Mau uprising. The line "All we had was lost, in our old colonial home, under the Southern Cross" suggests a sense of vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of the resistance movement.

The bridge in Swahili, "Mzungu arudi ulaya mwa frika apate uhuru" translates to "The white man should go back to Europe, leaving Africa to find freedom." This further emphasizes the desire for independence and self-governance by the native people.

Overall, the song conveys a message of anti-colonial sentiment and a plea for freedom and autonomy. It reflects upon the historical events and the complex power dynamics between colonizers and the colonized, shedding light on the injustices and struggles faced by the native population.