Bernadette Peters (born February 28, 1948) is an American Tony Award and Go… Read Full Bio ↴Bernadette Peters (born February 28, 1948) is an American Tony Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and singer. Beginning as a child actress, Peters has established herself as an important stage actress, particularly in musical theatre, as well as a recording star, and an actress in films and television. Peters first reached Broadway in the 1960s. In the 1970s, she took roles in film and television, but in the 1980s returned to theatre, where she has been, for over two decades, one of the most critically acclaimed Broadway stars. Peters also continues to act in films and on television, where she has been nominated for Emmy Awards for three of her appearances.

Peters is particularly noted for her starring roles in the musicals Song and Dance (Tony Award, Best Actress in Musical) , Annie Get Your Gun (Tony Award, Best Actress in Musical), Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods, becoming closely associated with the composers Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and in films including The Jerk and Pennies from Heaven, both opposite Steve Martin.

Peters has received many honorary awards over the years, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (April 1987); the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (1987); the Sarah Siddons Award for outstanding performance in a Chicago theatrical production (1994); the American Theatre Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City (1996), becoming the youngest person so honored (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Christopher Rawson, January 25, 1996, p. C1); an Honorary Doctorate from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York (May 19, 2002) [10]; and the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame (June 28, 2002).

You Can't Get a Man with a Gun
Bernadette Peters Lyrics

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Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun, they say
That's why I'm such a wonderful shot
I'd be out in the cactus and I'd practice all day
And now tell me what have I got?

I'm quick on the trigger with targets not much bigger
Than a pinpoint, I'm number one
But my score with a feller is lower than a cellar

Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

When I'm with a pistol, I sparkle like a crystal
Yes, I shine like the mornin' sun
But I lose all my luster, when with a bronco buster
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun
With a gun, with a gun
No you can't get a man with a gun

If I went to battle with someone's herd of cattle
You'd have steak when the job was done
But if I shot the herder, they'd holler, "Bloody murder"
And you can't get a hug from a mug, with a slug
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

I'm cool, brave, and darin' to see a lion glarin'
When I'm out with my Remington
But a look from a mister will raise a fever blister
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

The gals with umbrellas, ooh, are always out with fellers
In the rain or the blazin' sun
But a man never trifles with gals who carry rifles
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun
With a gun, with a gun,
No you can't get a man with a gun

A Tom, Dick or Harry will build a house for Carrie
When the preacher has made them one
But he cant build your houses with buckshot in his trousers
And you can't shoot a male in the tail like a quail
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

A man's love is mighty, he'll even buy a nightie
For a gal who he thinks is fun
But they don't buy pajamas for pistol packin' mamas

For a man maybe hot but he's not ready shot
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

Overall Meaning

Bernadette Peters's song "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" explores the idea that possessing a strong and aggressive nature, symbolized by a gun, does not necessarily attract romantic relationships or fulfill emotional needs. The lyrics begin by acknowledging the singer's upbringing and natural talent with a gun, attributing it to her mother's fear of a shotgun. This establishes the theme of personal identity and the impact of one's environment on shaping their skills and abilities.

The first verse reflects on the singer's proficiency with a firearm, boasting about her accuracy and excellence as a shooter. However, despite her success in target practice, her romantic relationships and prospects with men are lacking. The use of the phrase "lower than a cellar" emphasizes the disappointment and frustration she experiences in her love life. This contrast between skill in marksmanship and failure in love sets the stage for the song's central message.

In the second verse, the singer compares her prowess with a pistol to her appeal as a potential partner for men who engage in more physical and challenging activities, such as bronco busting. While she shines when demonstrating her shooting skills, she fails to capture a man's attention or affection by participating in traditionally masculine pastimes. This highlights the disconnect between her perceived strength and desirability.

The third verse introduces the idea of societal expectations and gender roles. The singer muses that women who carry umbrellas always seem to be accompanied by men, regardless of the weather conditions, while men are hesitant to engage with women who carry rifles. This touches on the concept of women being seen as aggressive or intimidating when they challenge societal norms and engage in activities traditionally associated with men.

The fourth and final verse works to drive home the theme by presenting examples of gender dynamics in romantic relationships. The singer humorously expresses that a man may build a house for a woman in a committed relationship, but he won't do the same for a woman who carries a gun. The lyrics playfully emphasize that a man might be interested in a woman for her physical appearance or personality, but the presence of a firearm shifts the dynamics and reduces the likelihood of developing a romantic connection.

Overall, "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" reflects on the tension between perceived strength and desirability in romantic relationships. The lyrics serve as a commentary on societal expectations, gender roles, and the struggle of finding love when one possesses characteristics or engages in activities that challenge traditional norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun, they say
My upbringing was influenced by my mother's fear of guns

That's why I'm such a wonderful shot
Her fear led me to become skilled in shooting

I'd be out in the cactus and I'd practice all day
I would spend hours honing my shooting skills in the desert

And now tell me what have I got?
Despite my shooting abilities, what do I have to show for it?

I'm quick on the trigger with targets not much bigger
I have excellent precision and speed when shooting at small targets

Than a pinpoint, I'm number one
I excel in hitting targets as small as a pinpoint, making me the best

But my score with a feller is lower than a cellar
However, I haven't been successful in romantic relationships with men