since the song is about England in the 1980's, and is speaking from the workman's point of view, let's hear from some English folk as to how that word is used and accepted in Britain. It always came across as being false in American usage, though definitey not as harsh as 'nigger', more cariactured than 'black', where it does occur, but rarely. The point in the song is whatever your background in the building trades in London, you were a mick, a paddy, a biddy, a spade, a packy, etc. The old Colonial power came up with all kinds of cute names for its 'subjects'.