Allin's lyrics, which often included misogyny, racism, social apathy, child abuse, incest, rape and homophobia, deeply divided opinions of him within the highly politicized punk community. He is best remembered for his notorious live performances that typically featured wildly transgressive acts. Some of these acts included Allin defecating and urinating onstage, rolling in feces and often consuming excrement, committing self-injury, performing naked, taunting people to perform fellatio on him and committing violent actions toward the audience. Although more notorious for his stage antics than for his wide body of music, he recorded prolifically, not only in the punk rock genre, but also in spoken word, country and Rolling Stones-influenced rock. Though he had a devoted cult following, Allin's music has received mostly negative reviews from critics.
http://www.ggallin.com/
Borrowed Time
GG Allin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't got a dime
People look at me and say
I′m livin' on borrowed time
Everything I own
Isn't worth a dime
Spend all my time
I don′t really care
About what people say and do
I live my life
By my own set of rules
Everything I do
I'm livin′ just to die
I'm livin′ by the laws
Of a gun and a knife
Within the perimeter of this world
I just don't feel real right
I′m livin' by the laws
Of a gun and a knife
My soul cannot be tamed
I'm livin′ just to die
I′m living by myself
On the outskirts of life
Everything I say
Is for the make
I don't need no work
Cause I′m stealin' everything
I hustle for my keep
I steal for my pay
Everything I do
Is what I do today
I′m comin' round
Take what I can take
(???)
But she′s gonna be mine today
My soul cannot be tamed
Cause I'm livin' just to die
I′m livin′ by myself
On the outskirts of life
My soul cannot be tamed
I'm livin′ just to die
I'm livin′ by myself
On the outskirts of life
Around around and down
Live from state to state
I don't know where I′ll be
From day to day
I'm on the road
Never slowin' down
Don′t stop for nothin′
For my feet get hit the ground
I'm singin′ with my gun
And I'm runnin′ with the best
I don't care about nothin′
Cause I only care myself
Everything I do
Is what I wanna try
But I'm livin' by myself
On the outskirts of life
With a gun and knife
That′s all I need
I kiss that sweet knife
And I take her where I need
The lyrics to "Borrowed Time" by GG Allin express the perspective of someone living on the streets and struggling to survive. The first verse sets the tone, with Allin describing how he is broke and people see him as having a limited lifespan due to his circumstances. He admits to spending his time and money on drugs, and not caring about what others think of him. Allin's lifestyle involves theft and hustling, but he sees this as a means of survival rather than an immoral choice. He embraces a lawless existence, relying on weapons like guns and knives to protect himself and asserting his belief that he is living just to die.
Line by Line Meaning
Livin' on the streets
I am homeless and do not have a stable place to live.
I ain't got a dime
I have no money.
People look at me and say
Others judge me.
I'm livin' on borrowed time
My life is unpredictable and may end soon.
Everything I own
My possessions.
Isn't worth a dime
Are practically valueless.
Spend all my time
I devote all my time.
And my money getting' high
To getting high on drugs.
I don't really care
I am apathetic.
About what people say and do
About the opinions and actions of others.
I live my life
I exist in a way that suits me.
By my own set of rules
According to my personal beliefs and values.
Everything I do
My actions.
I'm livin' just to die
I am resigned to death and believe that my life has no purpose.
I'm livin' by the laws
I abide by the principles.
Of a gun and a knife
That are associated with weapons.
Within the perimeter of this world
In the boundaries of this world.
I just don't feel real right
I feel disconnected from reality.
My soul cannot be tamed
I am not easily controlled.
On the outskirts of life
I live on the fringes of society.
Everything I say
My words.
Is for the make
Is for the purpose of impressing others.
I don't need no work
I do not need to work.
Cause I'm stealin' everything
Because I obtain my possessions through theft.
I hustle for my keep
I work hard to sustain myself.
I steal for my pay
I earn money through theft.
Is what I do today
Is what I am doing at the moment.
I'm comin' round
I am approaching.
Take what I can take
I will take what I can.
(???)
This line is unclear and cannot be interpreted.
But she's gonna be mine today
I intend to possess this woman.
Around around and down
Traveling from place to place.
Live from state to state
I have no permanent residence and travel frequently.
I don't know where I'll be
I am unsure of my future location.
From day to day
On a daily basis.
I'm on the road
I am frequently traveling.
Never slowin' down
I do not take time to rest.
Don't stop for nothin'
I do not stop for any reason.
For my feet get hit the ground
I keep moving.
I'm singin' with my gun
I am singing while holding a gun.
And I'm runnin' with the best
I am running with people who are like me.
Cause I only care myself
I am self-centered.
Is what I wanna try
Is what I want to attempt.
With a gun and knife
Using weapons.
That's all I need
Weapons are my primary tools.
I kiss that sweet knife
I am fond of violence.
And I take her where I need
I use violence to achieve my desired outcome.
Writer(s): Gg Allin
Contributed by Jordan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.