I'll Be Gone
Tom Waits Lyrics
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I'll cut the hearts from pharaohs
I pull the road off of the rise
Tear the memories from my eyes
In the morning I'll be gone
I drink a thousand shipwrecks
Tonight I steal your paychecks
I paint the sheets across my bed
The birds will all fly from my head
And in the morning I'll be gone
Take every dream that's breathing
Find every boot that's leaving
Shoot all the lights in the cafe
And in the morning I'll be gone
I bet a thousand dollars
I have a French companion
I tie myself below the deck
I pull the rope around my neck
In the morning I'll be gone
It takes a life to win her
There is a drum of bourbon
Eight hundred pounds of nitro
His boots are thunder as he plays
There is a stone inside it
Tonight his bones will ride it
I'll need a tent to hide it
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
The lyrics to Tom Waits's song "I'll Be Gone" are cryptic and surreal, as is often the case with his music. The singer seems to be describing a night of destructive behavior and reckless abandon, punctuated by the repeated assertion that in the morning, they will be gone. The specific actions described are vivid and unsettling - shaving a mountain, cutting hearts from pharaohs, shooting lights in a cafe - and suggest a deep sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The imagery of flying birds and pulling ropes around one's neck also implies a desire for escape or release.
Overall, the song seems to be about the search for freedom, whether through physical or emotional means. The singer is willing to engage in extreme behavior in order to break free of whatever is holding them back, and seems to see leaving as the only solution. The repetition of the phrase "in the morning I'll be gone" drives this message home, creating a sense of urgency and inevitability.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I'll shave the mountain
Tonight, I will conquer the impossible; I will do what others deem unachievable.
I'll cut the hearts from pharoahs
I will defeat the undefeatable; I will accomplish what others have failed to achieve.
I pull the road off of the rise
I will overcome challenges that seem insurmountable; I will face obstacles head-on and defeat them.
Tear the memories from my eyes
I will leave the past behind and move on; I will forget what has hurt me and focus on the future.
In the morning I'll be gone
I will not look back; I will leave everything behind and start anew.
I drink a thousand shipwrecks
I embrace my inner turmoil and pain; I accept my past and use it to fuel my future.
Tonight I steal your paychecks
I will take what is mine; I will not let anyone stand in the way of what I deserve.
I paint the sheets across my bed
I create my world; I control my destiny and shape it to my liking.
The birds will all fly from my head
I will eliminate all distractions; I will focus only on what is essential for my success.
Take every dream that's breathing
I will take hold of all my ambitions; I will pursue what I want with everything I have.
Find every boot that's leaving
I will not let anyone hold me back; I will break free from anything and anyone that tries to obstruct my path to success.
Shoot all the lights in the cafe
I will distance myself from everything that distracts me from my goals; I will eliminate anything that dims my prospects of success.
I bet a thousand dollars
I am confident in my abilities; I am willing to risk it all to achieve my dreams.
I have a French companion
I have someone who supports my ambitions and helps me achieve my goals.
I tie myself below the deck
I will stay the course; I will weather all storms and overcome any adversity.
I pull the rope around my neck
I will take full responsibility for my fate; I am willing to bear the burden of my choices and decisions.
It takes a life to win her
The rewards of my success are worth the sacrifice and struggle; I will strive to achieve my dreams no matter how long it takes.
There is a drum of bourbon
I will celebrate my victories; I will enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Eight hundred pounds of nitro
I have the power to create explosive results; I will put my full energy into achieving my goals.
His boots are thunder as he plays
I will create a spectacle with my success; I will make an impact on the world through my achievements.
There is a stone inside it
I will face great difficulties and obstacles on my path to success; I will overcome these challenges to achieve my goals.
Tonight his bones will ride it
I am determined to succeed at all costs; I will put everything into achieving my dreams.
I'll need a tent to hide it
I will protect myself from those who would try to slow me down or hold me back from achieving my goals.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I will leave my past and my troubles behind and start a new journey; I will move towards my dreams without fear or hesitation.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I will let go of yesterday's failures and setbacks and focus on the possibilities of tomorrow.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I will rise to meet the day with determination and drive; I will use each day to get closer to my dreams.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I am not afraid of what the future holds; I am ready to embark on my journey and seize all the opportunities that come my way.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I am ready to take on the world; I am fearless and committed to achieving my goals.
And in the morning I'll be gone
I am determined to make a difference; I will work tirelessly to achieve my dreams.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: KATHLEEN BRENNAN, THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheTomTerrible
No living singer/songwriter can touch him. Most dead ones can barely caress his mad excellence.
@erictorres8133
I was in piano class back in 2006 an this senior put this song in my ears with headphone changed my life
@ventiproduction8186
One of the best songs in the album!
@christuttle6100
Every time I hear a rooster crow I remember this song
@2carlaribeiro
That has been my theme song ever since I can remeber, and I have excellent memory.
@_loser_on_line_
"Tonight I'll shave the mountain
I'll cut the hearts from pharaohs
I pull the road off of the rise
Tear the memories from my eyes
And in the morning I'll be gone"
Tom has this way of getting in your head. the words just resonate with you at some point in your life.
@b00gi3
No kidding. This one is pertinent as a lady mule in a colombian stag party to my situation today. Thanks for verse uno, the words help.
@EnlighthenedOne123
Feels like the absurd start of the collective consciousness of FRP community, I swear by the Almighty.
@roberthale6572
Tom is God mia
Rain dogs ,wet dogs, smells so sweet
Fragrant memory
@windchimes4227
One of his songs I’d love to hear a live version of.