London Is the Reason
Gallows Lyrics


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We are the rats and we run this town
We are the black plague bearing down
We have no fear
We have no pity
We hate you
We hate this city.

Every mistake you have ever made
The bodies you thought would never need graves
They pave the gutters of London town
Until the streets become a feeding ground.

London is the reason.
London is the reason.
London is the reason.

We are the rats and we run this town
We are the black plague bearing down
We have no fear
We have no pity
We hate you
We hate this city.

The river Thames is running dry
The bodies have been piled high
All the corpses washed up on the shores
We'll drag them out because they are yours.

London is the reason.
London is the reason.
London is the reason.

We are the rats and we run this town
We are the black plague bearing down
We have no fear
We have no pity
We hate you
We hate this city.

London is the reason




When it burns down
We'll be tried for treason.

Overall Meaning

The song “London Is the Reason” by Gallows is a scathing and intense portrayal of the city of London. The lyrics speak to the dynamic of power in a city, with the rats representing those who feel oppressed and marginalized, and the city itself representing those in power. The lyrics detail the hatred and anger felt by the rats towards the city and its inhabitants, painting a picture of a city overrun by decay and disease.


The repetition of the phrase “We are the rats and we run this town” emphasizes the idea that those who feel oppressed by the city are the ones truly in control. The line “Every mistake you have ever made/The bodies you thought would never need graves” implicates those in power for their mistakes and neglect, and the idea that the gutters of the city are filled with the bodies of the forgotten and marginalized is a powerful image.


The chorus of the song, with the repeated phrase “London is the reason,” becomes a haunting refrain that underscores the idea that the city itself is the reason for the rat’s anger and hatred. The final line, “When it burns down/We'll be tried for treason,” suggests that the rats’ anger towards the city and its inhabitants is so intense that they would be willing to risk punishment for their actions.


Line by Line Meaning

We are the rats and we run this town
We are the outcasts and we have taken over this city


We are the black plague bearing down
We are a force to be reckoned with, our influence spreads like a disease


We have no fear
We are bold and fearless in our actions


We have no pity
We show no mercy to our enemies


We hate you
We harbor a deep hatred for our oppressors


We hate this city.
We despise the society that has rejected us


Every mistake you have ever made
We know all of your weaknesses and faults


The bodies you thought would never need graves
Your victims will be left to rot in the streets


They pave the gutters of London town
The casualties of your mistakes fill the city's sewers


Until the streets become a feeding ground.
The consequences of your actions will consume you


London is the reason.
The city is the root cause of our grievances


The river Thames is running dry
The river serving as the lifeblood of the city is dying


The bodies have been piled high
The number of victims is staggering


All the corpses washed up on the shores
The evidence of your wrongdoings cannot be ignored


We'll drag them out because they are yours.
You will be held accountable for your actions


When it burns down
When the city is destroyed


We'll be tried for treason.
We are willing to face the consequences of our actions, even if it means being accused of betrayal




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER FRANK CARTER, LAURENT BENJAMIN BARNARD, LEE PHILLIP BARRATT, STEPHEN WILLIAM RICHARD CARTER, STUART LESLIE GILI-ROSS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Roberta S

I've seen Gallows in an italian concert, this guys are very powerful and they have a lot of energy, crazy and great band!

PrincessJohn

why is this band so good and why did I not know them for so long?

artfanatsymanic

This a damn awesome. So little bands today have such raw energy. Besides that, if you really listen to it, the music is beautiful.

st0rmboyz

saw them twice in one day my body has never been so battered, but god damn it was worth it!

DaveTehMagician

Gallows were insane at reading, best set of the entire weekend! READING IS THE REASON!

Emma Stauder

Gallows is the absolute best band I've ever heard. And, they seriously need to come back to the U.S. Now. (:

Tech Ape

Gallows were amazing tonight. They're awesome!!

TalesofTheWeird

Seriously this album, song and video are perfect on so many reasons. I'm so disappointed to hear about Frank's departure. A singer makes or breaks a band and the Gallows' sound is going to get a whole lot whinier with Wade. R.I.P. to one of the last real punk bands.

EndMyBuffering

Frank Carter is way better then their new vocalist I'm so happy I saw him live was really intense!

Piet Vlanderen

Great song, love it. Thanks for that.

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