Killamangiro
Babyshambles Lyrics

Oh-oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
The song begins with an upbeat and catchy tune

Why would you pay to see me in a cage?
The artist questions why people would want to watch him perform behind bars

And why would you pay to see me in a cage?
He repeats his question, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation

Some men call the stage
He acknowledges that some people refer to the stage as a cage

Listen now, I have gone
The artist declares his absence or departure from the situation

You will know
He asserts that people will realize his importance once he's gone

I was the only one that gladly died
The artist claims that he is willing to make sacrifices for his craft

What was wrong in the eyes of the unwell and unwise
He suggests that those who criticize him are misguided or ignorant

They killed a man for his giro today
The artist alludes to a recent event where someone was killed for their welfare check

Oh, wasn't very gay, I didn't mind
He comments on the seriousness of the situation but admits it didn't affect him personally

I wasn't money-mad anyway
He suggests that he's not obsessed with money, unlike some people who might kill for it

Why, would you pay
He repeats his earlier question, incredulous at the idea of being paid to perform in a 'cage'

See me in the cage
He describes the stage as a trap or prison

Which the whole world calls a stage
He recognizes that the world sees the stage as just that - a performance space

And know
He instructs the listener to understand

When the night has come
He speaks poetically about darkness falling

You might say
He implies that people might have different opinions

I was not the only the one who would've died
He suggests that others are also willing to make sacrifices for their art

What was wrong in the eyes of the cruel and unwise
He repeats his earlier idea that critics are foolish and misguided

And they killed a man for his giro today
He repeats the shocking event of someone's murder for their welfare check

On the off chance that you're listening
He addresses his audience directly, acknowledging that they might not be paying full attention

To the radio
He humorously references the medium through which people might hear his music

I thought you might like to know you broke my heart
He confesses his emotional pain to his listeners

Can only saddle-up or hedge your bets
He begins to explore the idea of taking a risk or playing it safe

Or take a chance and never get to you again
He suggests it's possible to miss an opportunity by playing it safe

All my ties, time and time again
He has repeatedly found himself in situations where he has to choose between taking a risk or playing it safe

Trying hard not to try too hard
He acknowledges the difficulty of finding a balance between caution and impulsiveness

When I forgive, I won't forget
He promises not to hold a grudge but still remembers past slights

To killing time, so I'm better now
He reflects on past mistakes and how they've helped him become a better person

Don't need it anymore
He declares that he's grown beyond certain mistakes or experiences

Anything that makes you feel hate
He speaks generally about negative emotions

Can do without hate
He advocates for positivity and love instead of hate

Now I believe in love
He declares his faith in the power of love

Now I have gone
He repeats his earlier statement about his absence

Oh yeah, I will pay
He claims to be willing to pay the price for his art

For everything you've done
He's addressing someone who has wronged him and suggests they'll pay for it in the end

What was wrong
He repeats his previous idea of unfair criticism

In the eyes of the unwell and unwise
He still believes that his detractors are misguided and foolish

They killed a man for his giro today
He ends the song on this refrain, repeating the shocking event from earlier in the song