Van Morrison Shares ‘No More Lockdown,’ the Third and Final in His Series of Aggressively ‘Anti-Lockdown Protest Songs’

Van Morrison has officially had it with COVID-19 restrictions — we’ve known that for a while, even before the singing/songwriting legend announced a trio of “anti-lockdown protest songs” after penning a “Save Live Music” essay urging a return to full-capacity live concert performances.

Today, the third such song in his series of protest anthems was made available, and “No More Lockdown” doesn’t bother with subtlety:

No more lockdown
No more government overreach
No more fascist police
Disturbing our peace
No more taking of our freedom
And our God-given rights
Pretending it’s for our safety
When it’s really to enslave
Who’s running our country?
Who’s running our world?

Thus concludes Van Morrison’s planned trio of digital-only singles, following “As I Walked Out”:

As I walked out all the streets were empty
The government said everyone should stay home
And they spread fear and loathing and no hope for the future
Not many did question this very strange move

Well, on the government website from the 21st March 2020
It said COVID-19 was no longer high risk
Then two days later they put us under lockdown
Then why are we not being told the truth?

And “Born to Be Free.” Choice lyric:

Don’t need the government cramping my style
Give them an inch, they take a mile
Take you in with a phony smile
Wouldn’t you agree
The new normal is not normal
It’s no kind of normal at all
Everyone seems to have amnesia
Just trying to remember the Berlin Wall

“I’m not telling people what to do or think, the government is doing a great job of that already. It’s about freedom of choice, I believe people should have the right to think for themselves,” said Van Morrison of these three songs.

Meanwhile, furor caused by Van Morrison’s hardline public stance drew the ire of Northern Ireland’s health minister, Robin Swann, who told Rolling Stone in late September, “We expected better from him … Some of what is he saying is actually dangerous. It could encourage people not to take coronavirus seriously. If you see it all as a big conspiracy, then you are less likely to follow the vital public health advice that keeps you and others safe.”

Swan added:

“He’s chosen to attack attempts to protect the old and vulnerable in our society. It’s all bizarre and irresponsible. I only hope no one takes him seriously. He’s no guru, no teacher.”