Blame It on Cain
Elvis Costello & Clover Lyrics
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Government burglars took it along
Before I could mail it to you
Still you are the only one
Now I can't let it slip away
So if the man with the ticker tape, he tries to take it
Well, this is what I'm gonna say
Don't blame it on me
Oh-oh, oh, it's nobody's fault
But we need somebody to burn
Well, if I was a saint with a silver cup
And the money got low, we could always heat it up
Or trade it in
But then the radio to heaven will be wired to your purse
And you can run down the waveband
Coast-to-coast, hand in hand
Bad to worse, curse for curse
Don't be dissatisfied, so if you're not satisfied
Blame it on Cain
Don't blame it on me
Oh-oh, oh, it's nobody's fault
But we need somebody to burn
I think I've lived a little too long on the outskirts of town
I think I'm going insane from talking to myself for so long
Oh, but I've never been accused
When they step on your face, then wear that good-look grin
I gotta break out one weekend before I do somebody in
But every single time I feel a little stronger
They tell me it's a crime, well, how much longer?
Blame it on Cain
Don't blame it on me
Oh-oh, oh, it's nobody's fault
But we need somebody to burn
Blame it on Cain,
Oh-oh, oh, please don't blame it on me
It's nobody's fault
But it just seems to be his turn
The song Blame It on Cain by Elvis Costello is a complex mix of emotions and frustration, as the lyrics reveal. The first verse explores the theme of losing money, which can be attributed to the government's interference in ordinary people's lives. The singer feels that he is being wronged, and he doesn't want to lose his money before sending it to his loved one. He sings, "Government burglars took it along, before I could mail it to you." The sense of frustration is echoed in the following lines, as he sings, "Still, you are the only one. Now I can't let it slip away. So if the man with the ticker tape, he tries to take it, well, this is what I'm gonna say, Blame it on Cain."
The singer seems to blame someone named Cain, who is not introduced in the song, but the refrain keeps on repeating this phrase. It seems as if he's urging someone to take the blame for his troubles, rather than accepting responsibility. The second verse is particularly surreal and confusing, with lines like "And the money got low, we could always heat it up." The sense of anarchy and chaos is palpable, as the singer feels like he's losing his grip on sanity; "I think I'm going insane from talking to myself for so long." In the end, he seems resigned to his fate, and the line, "But it just seems to be his turn," suggests that life is unpredictable, and people can be blamed for things beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, I had a little money
There was a time when I had some money
Government burglars took it along
The government took it away from me
Before I could mail it to you
I didn't have a chance to send it to you
Still you are the only one
But you are still the only one I care about
Now I can't let it slip away
I can't afford to lose any more money
So if the man with the ticker tape, he tries to take it
If anyone tries to take my money
Well, this is what I'm gonna say
This is what I'll tell them
Blame it on Cain
Don't blame me, blame someone else
Don't blame it on me
I didn't do anything wrong
Oh-oh, oh, it's nobody's fault
No one is to blame
But we need somebody to burn
But we need someone to take the blame
Well, if I was a saint with a silver cup
If I were a wealthy and virtuous person
And the money got low, we could always heat it up
If I ran out of money, we could find a way to make more
Or trade it in
Or exchange it for something else
But then the radio to heaven will be wired to your purse
But then you would control everything
And you can run down the waveband
And you would have power over the airwaves
Coast-to-coast, hand in hand
From one end of the country to the other
Bad to worse, curse for curse
Things would only get worse
Don't be dissatisfied, so if you're not satisfied
Don't be unhappy, if you're unhappy
I think I've lived a little too long on the outskirts of town
I've been living on the edge of society for too long
I think I'm going insane from talking to myself for so long
I think I'm losing my mind from being alone too much
Oh, but I've never been accused
But I've never been in trouble with the law
When they step on your face, then wear that good-look grin
When people treat you poorly, just smile and pretend it's okay
I gotta break out one weekend before I do somebody in
I need to get away before I hurt someone
But every single time I feel a little stronger
But every time I try to leave, I feel more confident
They tell me it's a crime, well, how much longer?
People keep telling me it's wrong, but how much longer must I suffer?
Oh-oh, oh, please don't blame it on me
Please don't accuse me of anything
But it just seems to be his turn
But it seems like it's somebody else's turn to take the blame
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
penny bjorkland
From the very beginning I loved him for his witty song lyrics. The term, "government burglars" still cracks me up. We all understand the reference.
Michael Powers
Wow, John McFee stole the show on that one, very clean and precise, amazing.
Revo55
The guy is just a fantastic instrumentalist.
Nikkolai1
Excellent Charisma !! Elvis illuminates the way
Donna Bentley
Love you EC ❤
John Ozed
John McFee is such a tasteful guitarist.
Garrett Davis
Elvis, makes passing the buck sound so damned bitchin' !!!!!!
Stephen Wiggs
Elvis rocks!
Wing Walker
All killer, No filler
DJAS
" I think I spent a little too long on the out skirts of the beginning of this video"