Scarred & Scared
Rod Stewart Lyrics


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Started out like any one of you
Good intentions and a degree
But one hot night under the neon lights
Killed a boy just seventeen

Now I sit here rainin' on my Maker
Reprieve is all I'm praying for
Lord I fear the hangman's steps approachin'
Will the priest knock gently on my door

And I know I've let my daddy down
And I broke my mother's heart
I'd give anything turn back time again
Just give me one more start

I don't need no trial humiliation
Just tell me that I'm heaven bound
I don't want no two faced consolation
What use is that to me six feet underground

I'm going down to the engine shed
Put a gun up to my head
Blow myself into the promised land
We call it scarred and scared
And if you ever see my son again
Don't let on just how I fared
Tell him, tell him I went down big and strong
I was never, never, never scarred or scared

All the girls that once did gather 'round me
Have moved along to someone else
Sitting here desperation is my close friend
What I'd give to kiss one of them now




Oo yeah I'll take you there
I'll take ya there

Overall Meaning

The song "Scared and Scarred" by Rod Stewart is a deeply introspective piece that reflects on the consequences of one's actions. The song follows a protagonist who was once like any other person, with good intentions and a degree. However, after one ill-fated night under the neon lights, the singer finds himself responsible for the death of a seventeen-year-old boy. The guilt and fear are overwhelming, as the singer sits in fear of the hangman's arrival. He wishes not for a trial but for the certainty that he will reach heaven.


The lyrics express the singer's remorse for letting his father and mother down and breaking their hearts. The singer longs to turn back time and get one more chance. However, he is not seeking consolation or pity from anyone, knowing that it will be of no use to him once he is six feet under. Instead, he yearns to go "down to the engine shed" and "blow myself into the promised land" with a gun to his head. The song's final message is a request to people who may know the singer's son to conceal the truth about his ultimate fate from him, so he is not "scarred or scared."


Overall, "Scared and Scarred" is a poignant reminder of how one poor decision can lead to a lifetime of regret and pain. The song stresses the idea that actions have consequences, and the repercussions can last forever.


Line by Line Meaning

Started out like any one of you
I had good intentions just like any of you


Good intentions and a degree
I had a degree and my intentions were good


But one hot night under the neon lights
But that one hot night under neon lights changed everything


Killed a boy just seventeen
And I ended up killing a boy just seventeen


Now I sit here rainin' on my Maker
Now I'm sitting here praying to God and feeling guilty


Reprieve is all I'm praying for
I'm just hoping for a second chance


Lord I fear the hangman's steps approachin'
I'm scared of the hangman coming for me


Will the priest knock gently on my door
I'm wondering if a priest will come to comfort me


And I know I've let my daddy down
I'm aware that I disappointed my father


And I broke my mother's heart
I also broke my mother's heart


I'd give anything turn back time again
I would do anything to go back in time and change what happened


Just give me one more start
I just need one more chance to make things right


I don't need no trial humiliation
I don't want to go through a trial and be humiliated publicly


Just tell me that I'm heaven bound
Just tell me that I'll go to heaven


I don't want no two faced consolation
I don't want someone to try and comfort me with insincere words


What use is that to me six feet underground
It won't help me when I'm dead and buried


I'm going down to the engine shed
I'm going to the engine shed


Put a gun up to my head
And I'm going to shoot myself


Blow myself into the promised land
So I can go to heaven


We call it scarred and scared
But we call it being scarred and scared


And if you ever see my son again
And if you ever see my son


Don't let on just how I fared
Don't tell him how I ended up


Tell him, tell him I went down big and strong
Just tell him that I went out with dignity


I was never, never, never scarred or scared
And that I wasn't scared or scarred


All the girls that once did gather 'round me
All the girls that used to be interested in me


Have moved along to someone else
Have all moved on and found someone else


Sitting here desperation is my close friend
And now I'm sitting here alone and desperate


What I'd give to kiss one of them now
I wish I could be with one of them now


Oo yeah I'll take you there I'll take ya there
Oh yeah, I'll take you with me to the afterlife




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY GRAINGER, ROD STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Lorraine

This song tears my heart out. I remember that year it came out, I thought the music then could not get any better... Maybe i am right. I love "you keep me hangin on" Rod.

clive reynish

Every time i hear this i cry with sadness yet joy God bless you all who listen to such quality lyrics

F61 Band

I discovered this by finding my moms 45 of do ya think I'm sexy B side.
I listened in slow motion with it set to 78 rpm lol.

1 More Replies...

Авраменко Олег

Великолепная песня финал великолепного альбома.
Это навсегда!

Susan Hampton

I got this album as a teen from my sister. Then she took me to see him twice, thanks sis rip

Jay Miller

I've listened to this song ever since I was a little boy when it first came out because it really resonates with me. As I get older, the song becomes more and more relevant to me; almost as if it was written for me. I have always known that Scarred and Scared will be the last song I ever listen to; I just don't know when that will be.

William Daly

Scarred and Scared was on Blondes Have More Fun album, saying album shows my age. I loved that song Da Ya Think I'm Sexy and Scarred and Scared was the song before it. After listening to it numerous times, it grew on me. The song is a sleeper and not many people would know it if you asked them. When people think Rod Stewart they think of Wake Up Maggie, Tonight's The Night or Hot Leg's!! Scarred and Scared is a sad song and it's better than the three I just mentioned. The thing is you have to listen to it five or more times, it will resonate with you also..

Angelina Sassano

Takes me back to my youth, superb song.

Bruce Gitow

This is a brilliant, poignant song from the great Rod Stewart.

Rebel Withoutaclue

Damned Shtraight

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