James & The Cold Gun
Kate Bush Lyrics


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James, come on home
You've been gone too long baby
We can't let our hero die alone
We miss you day and night
You left town to live by the rifle
You left us to fight
But it just ain't right to take away the light
Remember Genie, from the casino
She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
Till they get out of hand
And wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life they led
With their old friend
Oh
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

Where lies your heart?
It's not there in the buckskin baby
It's not there in the gin that makes you laugh long and loud

You're a coward James
You're running away from humanity
You're running out on reality
It won't be funny when they
Rat-a-tat you down

Remember Genie, from the casino
She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
Till they get out of hand
And wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life they led
With their old friend




Oh
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kate Bush's song "James and the Cold Gun" recount the concerns of a friend or loved one towards a man named James, who has left town and appears to have become involved in violence and potentially dangerous activities. The song uses a storytelling approach, with the singer reminiscing about certain people in James' life and urging him to return home. The lyrics express a sense of fear for James' well-being, as the people he has left behind miss him desperately and worry that he may be risking his life.


The song suggests that James may be engaging in criminal behavior, as he has left to "live by the rifle" and others in his gang are "knocking whisky back till they get out of hand." The lyric "are you selling your soul to a cold gun?" hints at the possibility that James may be involved in gun violence. The lyrics also convey sadness and disappointment, as the singer implores James not to throw his life away on such a destructive path.


Overall, the song seems to be a message of concern and love for someone who has gone astray, an attempt to call them back before it's too late.


Line by Line Meaning

James, come on home
Kate is urging James to come home as he has been away for a long time and his absence is felt by everyone.


You've been gone too long baby
Kate is emphasizing the fact that James has been gone for quite some time, which has created a void for his friends and loved ones.


We can't let our hero die alone
Kate is acknowledging James as a hero and wants him to come back so that he does not have to face his problems alone.


We miss you day and night
Kate is telling James that his absence is felt all the time and he is being missed every day.


You left town to live by the rifle
Kate believes James left town for some kind of purpose or mission that involves fighting or using a gun.


You left us to fight
Kate is saying that James's leaving has created tension and a possibility of a fight between them.


But it just ain't right to take away the light
Kate is telling James that his leaving has taken something valuable from their lives, a light of some sort.


Remember Genie, from the casino
Kate is reminding James of Genie, someone he knows from the casino.


She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
Genie seems to be waiting for James, and it is implied she is sexually available to him.


The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
Kate talks about the boys in James's gang who are probably drinking too much whisky and that might cause them to act impulsively.


Till they get out of hand
Kate is telling James that the boys might get violent or lose control after excessive drinking.


And wish they were dead
The boys might feel sorry after their actions and wish they were dead.


They're only lonely for the life they led
Kate is saying that the boys are only missing their past life and the company of their old friend James.


Oh James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?
Kate is worried that James might become obsessed with guns or violence and is asking him if he is willing to risk his soul for this.


Where lies your heart?
Kate is asking James about his true feelings and where his heart is truly desires to be.


It's not there in the buckskin baby
Kate is saying that James's heart does not belong to a wild or reckless life as symbolized by the buckskin.


It's not there in the gin that makes you laugh long and loud
Kate is saying that James's heart does not belong to a life where drinking spirits is the most important source of happiness.


You're a coward James
Kate is calling James a coward for running away from his problems and his loved ones.


You're running away from humanity
Kate is saying that James is running away from his true self and what makes him humane.


You're running out on reality
Kate is telling James that he is avoiding reality and trying to escape from it.


It won't be funny when they
Kate is implying that there will be consequences to James's actions.


Rat-a-tat you down
Kate is using an onomatopoeic term to imply that James could be shot or killed.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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