From the Levitate (album) .. 2009.
The Black Rats of London features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, dulcimer, vocals, keyboards); Bobby Read (reeds); J.V. Collier (bass); Sonny Emory (drums); J.T. Thomas (organ, keyboards); Doug Derryberry (guitar), Blake Mills (guitar); Andy Leftwich (fiddle); Floyd Hill (vocals).
Black Rats of London meaning
“Black Rats of London” is a satirical take on the often unacknowledged role that pests, diseases, and invasive species have played in shaping historical events. The song humorously criticizes the traditional narratives of American history that focus on human achievement while overlooking the impact of non-human forces like rodents, insects, and microbes. Bruce highlights how these small creatures, often seen as nuisances, have influenced major moments in history, suggesting they are the unsung “heroes” of the past.
Manifest destiny and historical omission
The opening lines refer to the concept of “manifest destiny,” the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the North American continent was justified and inevitable. Bruce points out that while Americans credit themselves and divine intervention for their success, they often omit the role of ecological and biological factors. By urging the “unsung heroes” to stand up, Bruce challenges the romanticized version of history that ignores these less glamorous contributors.
Night crawlers and ecosystem changes
Bruce mentions “night crawlers” (earthworms) clearing forests by consuming organic matter like leaves and nuts, which disrupts the natural environment. In this context, the worms are portrayed as agents of change, indirectly leading to the displacement and suffering of Native American populations (“the natives got the dry heaves”). This is an example of how ecological factors, such as the introduction of non-native species, played a significant role in the colonization process.
The role of mosquitoes and malaria
The reference to “mosquitoes brought malaria” touches on the devastating impact of diseases brought to the Americas by European colonizers. Malaria, spread by mosquitoes, disproportionately affected Indigenous peoples and weakened their ability to resist European expansion. Bruce’s line “the Indians got less scarier with yellow skin and eyes” likely refers to jaundice, a symptom of malaria, which would have made Indigenous people appear physically weaker, further aiding colonization efforts.
The black rats of London
The song’s refrain celebrates the “black rats of London” for their role in shaping history. These rats were notorious for spreading diseases like the plague, and their arrival in the Americas had significant consequences. Bruce sarcastically praises them for making the “long treacherous passage” across the Atlantic and spreading “natural juices” (a euphemism for the bacteria and diseases they carried). By framing the rats’ arrival as a “gift,” Bruce highlights the absurdity of ignoring their true impact.
Parasitic decimation of Cornwallis’ army
Bruce mentions parasites and diseases like measles and smallpox decimating the British forces led by General Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War, particularly at the Battle of Yorktown. The reference to the “red army of Cornwallis” highlights how diseases, rather than just military strategy, played a crucial role in the outcome of the war. The British soldiers, weakened by illness, were more vulnerable, aiding the American victory.
John Rolfe’s prized worms and bacterial strains
John Rolfe, a key figure in the establishment of the tobacco industry in Virginia, is mentioned along with his “prized worms.” This likely refers to the worms and bacteria that accompanied European settlers and had unintended ecological consequences. The “bacterial strains from imported English dirt” are another nod to the biological factors that influenced colonization, as European diseases ravaged Indigenous populations and reshaped the land.
Critique of glorifying human achievement
Bruce sarcastically encourages the listener to “pat yourself on the back” for the human achievements of colonization and expansion. However, he juxtaposes this with the reminder that it was the “black rats of London” and other non-human forces that were instrumental in many of these successes. This critique of human self-congratulation points to a broader theme of environmental and biological determinism in history.
Paramecia
Paramecia are single-celled organisms, and the mention of them having feelings humorously extends the idea of unsung heroes to even the microscopic level, further emphasizing the overlooked contributors to history.
Where were the black rats?
In the song’s closing lines, Bruce shifts his critique toward those responsible for some of the darkest chapters in American history, such as “slave owners” and “Joe Mengeles of the American West” (a reference to Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor infamous for human experimentation, here used as a metaphor for American figures who inflicted suffering). He laments that the “black rats” didn’t infect these oppressors, suggesting that diseases spared the wrong people and perhaps could have brought justice to those who caused harm.
Final thoughts
“Black Rats of London” is a humorous commentary on the role of non-human forces in shaping history. By focusing on rats, mosquitoes, worms, and diseases, Bruce offers a satirical critique of traditional narratives that glorify human achievements while overlooking the biological and ecological factors that have played an equally important role. Through witty lyrics and historical references, the song encourages listeners to rethink the stories we’ve been told about the making of America.