Reckless
Paul Kelly and The Messengers Lyrics
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Meet me down by the jetty landing
Where the pontoons bump and sway
All the others reading, standing
As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay
Hear the captain blow his whistle
So long you've been away
I miss our early morning wrestle
She don't like that kind of behaviour
She don't like that kind of behaviour
Throw down your guns
Don't be so reckless
Throw down your guns
Like Scott in the Antarctic
Base camp so far away
Russian subs beneath the Arctic
Burke and Wills and camels
Initials on the tree
She don't like that kind of behaviour
She don't like that kind of behaviour
Throw down your guns
Don't you be so reckless
Throw down your guns
Paul Kelly's song "Reckless" is a nostalgic tale of lost love, regret, and the recklessness of youth. The song starts with an invitation to meet for a nostalgic rendezvous at the jetty landing where the pontoons bump and sway. The singer reminisces about the good old days of wrestling with his lover, however, the reunion is anything but happy. The singer is still in love with his ex-girlfriend, but she doesn't approve of his reckless behavior, which includes carrying guns.
The mention of "Scott in the Antarctic" and "Burke and Wills and camels," references iconic moments of exploration, but also tragic losses. The lines "Initials on the tree" suggest a romantic gesture between the couple that has now been forgotten. The melancholic tone of the song is emphasized in the chorus, with the plea "Throw down your guns, don't be so reckless," urging the singer to change his ways and win back his love.
In summary, "Reckless" is an emotional and complex song that delves deep into themes of loss, regret, and recklessness. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist whose lovers' departure has left him lost and regretful, but the song also serves as a warning about the dangers of living a reckless life.
Line by Line Meaning
Meet me down by the jetty landing
Let's meet at the dock where the boats are and where we used to hang out
Where the pontoons bump and sway
Where the floating platforms move up and down with the waves
All the others reading, standing
Everyone else is busy reading or standing around
As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay
We can watch the Manly ferry making its way to Circular Quay from here
Hear the captain blow his whistle
The captain of the ferry is blowing his whistle to signal departure
So long you've been away
It's been a while since we saw each other
I miss our early morning wrestle
I miss our playful physical interactions in the morning
Not a very happy way to start the day
But it's not a happy situation to start the day with
She don't like that kind of behaviour
The woman in question doesn't appreciate that kind of behavior
Throw down your guns
Stop being aggressive or confrontational
Don't be so reckless
Don't act without thinking about the consequences
Like Scott in the Antarctic
Like the famous explorer Scott in his ill-fated journey to the South Pole
Base camp so far away
The starting point is so far away from the destination
Russian subs beneath the Arctic
There are Russian submarines lurking under the Arctic Ocean
Burke and Wills and camels
An allusion to the famous Australian explorers who perished in their bid to cross the continent with camels
Initials on the tree
Our initials are still there on that tree we carved them on
She don't like that kind of behaviour
Once again, the woman does not approve of our behavior
Don't you be so reckless
Let's not be impetuous or heedless
Throw down your guns
Let's drop the hostility and come to a peaceful resolution
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Michael Reyne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind