"English Civil War" is actually a re-arrangement of a traditional American Civil War song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" (this title is mentioned in the lyrics), which was originally written by a Massachusetts Unionist, Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, and which became popular with both sides in the war and eventually became associated with the Confederates. Hence why the song is credited as "trad. arr. Strummer/Jones" rather than just a Strummer/Jones composition.
When interviewed about this song singer Joe Strummer noted that he learnt "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" at school. "It was such a good tune. I suggested that we update it, see what it sounded like," he said.
The lyrics, passionately delivered by Joe Strummer, discuss the band's fears about the rise of the National Front and radical, fascist far-right-wing politics in the UK, and fears that this will cause tensions and riots on the streets. In a discussion with Terry Lott of Record Mirror magazine after the song's live debut at the April 1978 Rock Against Racism festival in Victoria Park, Joe Strummer speculated that "War is just around the corner. Johnny hasn't got far to march. That's why he's coming by bus or underground (referencing part of the lyrics). It's a folk song, that's all." In the same interview the band were asked whether they were exaggerating the power of the National Front and racist groups, and guitarist Mick Jones replied: "In 1928, Adolf Hitler got 2.8% of the vote. In 1939 there was no one voting for anyone else."
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