The song's theme is inspired by the
Spanish Civil War, and the idealism of
Welsh volunteers who joined the left-wing
International Brigades fighting for the
Spanish Republic against
Francisco Franco's military rebels. The song takes its name from a Republican propaganda poster of the time written in English and displaying a photograph of a child killed by the
Nationalists, under a sky filled with bomber aircraft, with the song's titular warning written at the bottom.
Nicky Wire wrote the song's lyrics in
Barcelona. He felt especially proud of coming up with the opening line: "The future teaches you to be alone, the present to be afraid and cold." Various real-life events from the Spanish Civil War provided inspiration. For example, the line "If I can shoot rabbits/then I can shoot fascists" is attributed to a remark made by a man to his brother who signed up with the Republican fighters. This was originally quoted in the book
Miners Against Fascism by
Hywel Francis. Another line, "I've walked Las Ramblas/but not with real intent", references
La Rambla, an area in
Barcelona which experienced much fighting during the war. Wire has acknowledged that he was inspired by a song by
the Clash, "
Spanish Bombs", which features a similar subject. The song was not originally intended for inclusion on
This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. It was recorded in a separate session from the rest of the album and was seen as a potential B-side; its original demo was described by bassist Nicky Wire as "crap." ==Release==