So here you are in Hoxton two years on
Since you left that little no where that you're from
First few weeks you stayed with your ex,
Same old arguments but without the sex.

Now you're renting down the road its not so cheap
Every weekend police stayed in the street
Wirey looking kids looked up eyes down
We then biked to the arctic crown

Now they're squaring up
"What phone you got bruv"?
Yeah they're gonna give you grief
You still get home in one piece.

In the bar your mates spark celebrity
But you're not fussed by the gay guy on CBBC
Limos fury hen nights to the west end
The night is dragging its heals till the end

Now he's in your face.
"Got any drugs on you mate"?
You get out for some peace
Still get home by our feet
See now your home,
Crashing out in your coat
Jet lagged from the night bus/bars?
Planning your escape

No point in trying to act all hard
As the kids take the piss when you walk past
No sane place left to go
Your mates aren't in the start and yes I'll grow

Now you're tearing up
Just need one night off
Get out of this in one peace
And come home for some sleep

Now you're home
Crash out in your coat
Jet lagged from the night bus
And plan your escape.

Overall Meaning

The Rakes's song "Leave The City And Come Home" depicts the struggle of a person who left their small hometown to move to the big city, specifically Hoxton. The lyrics describe the harsh reality of living in a city that promises excitement, but also comes with a price. The singer initially stays with their ex and experiences the same arguments but without sex. However, they eventually rent a place down the road that isn't cheap, and on weekends police frequently stay in the street to confront certain groups of kids. The singer is also harassed by certain individuals, who ask what type of phone they own and if they have any drugs on them.

As the night progresses, the singer's friends are the center of attention at the bar, while they are not phased by the notable person in attendance. The night seems to drag on endlessly until they plan their escape and go home. However, the singer becomes "jet lagged from the night bus" and plans to escape from their life in the city. They feel like they don't belong in the city and are constantly reminded of their past through the ridicule they receive from certain groups of kids.

This song communicates the struggle of finding oneself in a new place, and the harsh reality that sometimes comes with big-city living. It highlights the feeling of being lost and the yearning to escape, to go back to a place of familiarity.

Line by Line Meaning

So here you are in Hoxton two years on
You're currently living in Hoxton for the past two years

Since you left that little no where that you're from
You left your small hometown to live in the city

First few weeks you stayed with your ex,
Initially, you stayed with your ex-partner after moving to the city

Same old arguments but without the sex.
You had the same arguments with your ex, but without any intimacy

Now you're renting down the road its not so cheap
You've now rented a house nearby, but it's expensive

Every weekend police stayed in the street
Police frequently patrolled the area on weekends

Wirey looking kids looked up eyes down
Thin, suspicious-looking kids would look at you while avoiding eye contact

We then biked to the arctic crown
You rode a bike to the Arctic Crown bar

Now they're squaring up
Now they're preparing to fight

"What phone you got bruv"?
"What type of phone do you have, mate"?

Yeah they're gonna give you grief
They're going to harass you

You still get home in one piece.
You managed to get home safely

In the bar your mates spark celebrity
Your friends were acting like celebrities at the bar

But you're not fussed by the gay guy on CBBC
You're not bothered by the gay presenter on Children's BBC

Limos fury hen nights to the west end
Limousines and bachelorette parties headed towards the West End

The night is dragging its heals till the end
The night seems to be taking a long time to end

Now he's in your face.
Now someone is confronting you

"Got any drugs on you mate"?
"Do you have any drugs on you, mate"?

You get out for some peace
You leave the situation to have some peace

Still get home by our feet
You still managed to walk home safely

See now your home,
You're finally back home

Crashing out in your coat
You're too tired to change and sleep while still wearing your coat

Jet lagged from the night bus/bars?
You're exhausted from the bus ride and spending time at bars

Planning your escape
You're thinking about leaving the city

No point in trying to act all hard
There's no benefit in trying to intimidate others

As the kids take the piss when you walk past
Young people mock you when you walk past

No sane place left to go
There's no reasonable place to go

Your mates aren't in the start and yes I'll grow
Your friends have changed, and you're starting to grow apart from them

Now you're tearing up
You're starting to cry

Just need one night off
You just need one night to relax and unwind

Get out of this in one peace
You want to leave the situation safely

And come home for some sleep
You just want to go home and sleep

Now you're home
You're finally back home

Crash out in your coat
You're too tired and sleepy, so you sleep while still wearing your coat

Jet lagged from the night bus
You're exhausted after the long ride on the night bus

And plan your escape.
You start thinking of ways to leave the city

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN DONOHOE, JAMES HORN-SMITH, LASSE PETERSEN, MATTHEW SWINNERTON, MATTHEW JAMES SWINNERTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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