What is the meaning of Dignity by deacon blue?

Answer 1

I was searching for the meaning myself actually - and found this webpage.

Superficially it seems to be a song extolling the virtues of hard work, self-restraint and discipline.

Its about a man who has been working for the council for 20 years. He has a simple job to clear rubbish from the street. He is mocked by the local children who call him "bogie", but he does not let this affect him. He does not mutter. He simply gets on with his job.

The song writer has seen this man in the street and has spoken to him. We don't know what relationship they had - presumably one of friendliness and passing friendship.

The singer has learned that the man is aware that children mock him and the streetcleaner has confided in the singer his dream - to buy a dinghy and name it Dignity. He has been saving his money and has amassed a kitty towards achieving his dream.

We know that the streetcleaner plans to purchase a somewhat expensive and substantial ship - as the streetcleaner imagines people enquiring as how he "got her" and he has planned his response. He has Dignity because he has "saved his money".

He imagines sailing Dignity "up the west coastm, through villages and towns" -being on his hoilday - whilst he colleagues are at work on "their rounds".

Next we learn that somebody - presumably the singer - is telling this tale in a faraway place - possibly Turkey "sipping raki". We have assumed that the streetcleaner is based in Scotland, as the singer is from Scotland.

He is "sipping raki" and reading "maynard keynes" whilst thinking about home and Dignity and sailing his own ship up the "west coast through villages and towns". He imagines being in the same position as the streetcleaner on day. He hopes to be in "this place someday" sailing Dignity.

"That Ship!" Has he seen the streetcleaner get his dream? Has he seen anotehr ship that he would like to have?

I don't think this song is actually about buying a boat or going on holiday. It is a song extolling the virtues of working hard, saving money, being responsible, having faith and achieving dignity through leading a good, honest life.