Sin City
Gram Parsons; The Flying Burrito Brothers Lyrics


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This old town is filled with sin
It'll swallow you in
If you've got some money to burn
Take it home right away
You've got three years to pay
But Satan is waiting his turn

This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
It seems like this whole town's insane
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain

The scientists say
It will all wash away
But we don't believe any more
'Cause we've got our recruits
And our green mohair suits
So please show your I.D. at the door

This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
It seems like this whole town's insane
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain

A friend came around
Tried to clean up this town
His ideas made some people mad
But he trusted his crowd
So he spoke right out loud
And they lost the best friend they had

This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
It seems like this whole town's insane
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain




On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gram Parsons's song, "Sin City," present a bleak portrait of a city filled with corruption, temptation, and sin. The opening line sets the tone for the entire song, with Parsons warning that the town will "swallow you in" if you let it. The reference to "money to burn" suggests that the lure of wealth and materialism is a major factor in the city's corruption, and the line "Satan is waiting his turn" implies that this is a place where evil and immorality hold sway.


The second verse presents a metaphorical earthquake that threatens to leave the singer destitute. This could be a literal earthquake, or it might represent some other catastrophic event that has left the city in ruins. The reference to the "Lord's burning rain" evokes images of hellfire and damnation, and suggests that this is a place where even the most privileged and wealthy are not immune from divine punishment.


The final verse alludes to a failed attempt to "clean up this town." The friend who tried to do so was met with hostility and opposition, leading to his downfall. This verse suggests that even those who seek to do good and fight against the city's corruption are likely to fail. Overall, "Sin City" presents a bleak and pessimistic view of urban life, where evil and immorality are seemingly omnipresent, and even the most well-meaning individuals are likely to be brought down.


Line by Line Meaning

This old town is filled with sin
The town is full of immoral and sinful behavior.


It'll swallow you in
The town's sinful nature will consume and corrupt you.


If you've got some money to burn
If you have disposable income


Take it home right away
Use it for something more valuable or safer than spending it in this town.


You've got three years to pay
Credit options are available with deferred payment plans.


But Satan is waiting his turn
Satan is ready to take advantage of those who engage in sinful activities.


This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
The earthquake is going to leave me financially destitute.


It seems like this whole town's insane
The town is full of crazy and irrational people.


On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
A reference to the luxurious and privileged lifestyle of the wealthy in the town.


Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
No matter how wealthy, everyone is vulnerable to the impending destruction and wrath of God.


The scientists say
The scientific community predicts.


It will all wash away
The town will be destroyed by natural disasters or other forces beyond their control.


But we don't believe any more
The locals have given up on believing in the scientists' predictions.


'Cause we've got our recruits
The locals have formed their own groups or communities to face whatever challenges lay ahead.


And our green mohair suits
A reference to their distinct fashion style.


So please show your I.D. at the door
We take our security and safety seriously and require identification.


A friend came around
A friend arrived in town with good intentions.


Tried to clean up this town
The friend attempted to make the town a more wholesome place.


His ideas made some people mad
There were some who did not take kindly to the friend's suggestions for improvement.


But he trusted his crowd
The friend had faith in his supporters and followers.


So he spoke right out loud
The friend was vocal about his ideas and beliefs.


And they lost the best friend they had
The friend's outspoken nature led to his loss of support and allies in the town.


On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Reiterating the privileged lifestyle of some of the town's residents.


Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
Again emphasizing that wealth and status are not enough to protect anyone from God's wrath.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHE SMITH, CYDEL CHARLES YOUNG, JOSEPH YOUNG III, MALIK YUSEF EL SHABBAZ JONES, TEYANA MESHAY TAYLOR, TRAVIS SCOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

nazno

One of the greatest lines in rock, country-rock history--"on the 31st floor a gold plated door, won't keep out the lord's burning rain"

VS

@WW Conkright According to all the lyrics I've seen, it is rain, not reign.

honeypot username

@VS and what does that matter? "reign" makes much more sense

VS

@honeypot username No it doesn't.

12 More Replies...

J.B. Beverley

I've had this record for well over two decades.. and every time I hear this song, Gram's voice hits my weak spot and brings me to tears. Rest well, brother. -JB 

Mcseeker86

JB... Will you please make sure try to book Gram Parsons Derry Down for this (potentially) final tour you're talking about doing?

It's in Winter Haven, FL. Was the first venue Parsons ever performed in. Built by his parents so that he could hone his craft.
Google it for the website that tells the complete history.

Peter Kingsmill

Me too. Nailed it!

Thomas Guarino

Gram Parsons was an incredibly talented songwriter. His influence on rock, country, and rockin'-country songwriters and bands is still felt today. His uncanny knack for saying and playing the right phrase at precisely the right moment still resonates 37 years after he played his last chord. RIP GP

Margaret Ross

So right. Always a unique twist to his lyrics. Nobody like him. Just wish there were a lot more. ⭐🤠

Mozzer

Just so happens Chris Hillman started this song off.

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