CITY OF REFUGE
Grant-Lee Phillips Lyrics


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You better run You better run and run and run
You better run to the City of Refuge

You stand before your maker
In a state of shame
Bacause your robes are covered in mud
While your kneel at the feet
Of a woman of the street
The gutters will run with blood
They will run with blood!

In the days of madness
My brother, my sister
When you're dragged toward the Hell-mouth
You will beg at the end
But there ain't gonna be one, friend
For the grave will spew you out
It will spew you out!

You'll be working in the darkness
Against your fellow man
And you'll find you're called to come forth
So you'll scrub and you'll scrub
But the trouble is, bud




The blood it won't wash off
No, it won't come off!

Overall Meaning

The song "City of Refuge" by Grant-Lee Phillips appears to be a message of warning and redemption to people who are headed down dark paths. The recurring phrase "You better run to the City of Refuge" seems to be a call to action for those who are in trouble or danger. The first verse talks about the shame one experiences when they kneel before God with dirty robes, perhaps suggesting that they have strayed from the path of righteousness. The graphic imagery of the gutters running with blood implies that the consequences for these actions will be severe.


The second verse talks about a chaotic time that the singer calls "the days of madness," and warns about being dragged toward the "Hell-mouth." Despite begging for mercy, the singer insinuates that there will be no escape, as even the grave will reject them. The final verse seems to describe someone who has done wrong against others and is desperately trying to make amends by working in the shadows. However, the blood on their hands won't wash off, suggesting that their past actions will always be a part of them.


Line by Line Meaning

You better run You better run and run and run
It is imperative that you flee from your current situation as fast as possible.


You better run to the City of Refuge
Be sure to find and seek protection in an accepting, safe location.


You stand before your maker
You are held accountable by your creator.


In a state of shame
Embarrassed and remorseful about your actions.


Because your robes are covered in mud
You have sullied your reputation and character by making poor choices.


While you kneel at the feet of a woman of the street
You have sought comfort in a potentially harmful, dangerous place.


The gutters will run with blood
There will be violence and death in the near future.


They will run with blood!
The situation will escalate and become more violent and deadly.


In the days of madness
During a period of intense chaos and distress.


My brother, my sister
Referring to other individuals who may be struggling as well.


When you're dragged toward the Hell-mouth
When you're pulled closer and closer to a situation that will damn you.


You will beg at the end
You will plead and beg for mercy when the situation has escalated beyond your control.


But there ain't gonna be one, friend
Unfortunately, there will be no one to save you or help you.


For the grave will spew you out
Death will not be a peaceful release, but a violent and tumultuous one.


It will spew you out!
Death will be an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience.


You'll be working in the darkness
You will be participating in morally questionable, possibly illegal activities.


Against your fellow man
Harming others in the process.


And you'll find you're called to come forth
You'll be asked to come forward and speak the truth.


So you'll scrub and you'll scrub
You'll try to wash away your mistakes and make amends.


But the trouble is, bud
The difficulty lies in the fact that it's not that simple.


The blood it won't wash off
You cannot undo the damage you have caused, no matter how hard you try.


No, it won't come off!
The consequences of your actions will linger indefinitely.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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