Genevieve
Ron Hawkins Lyrics


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Oh, Genevieve, this town is a guillotine
Sharp tongues like blades so mean they can bleed you blue
All those neighbourhood boys just want to get in your corduroys
I can't blame 'em but they miss the point with a girl like you

Oh, oh, Genevieve

Hey there Genevieve, you never had much use for me
But I'll keep you company until the ambulance comes
Cruel maps of railroad scars, along the tracks of your pretty arms
How the hell did it get so hard just to take life as it comes

Oh, oh Genevieve
Oh, sweet Genevieve

No, don't do it
Don't climb your bedroom walls
Don't rise to it
'Cause you're smarter than them all
And I always knew it
I just never had the guts to call
I hung up once or twice
My fingers cold as ice
And I left you all alone
On the dark side of the phone

Hey Gen you know some day, we oughta cut class and run away
Hop a Greyhound to Montreal and start us a band
I can sing and play guitar and you can scream all the pretty parts
Cross your fingers those city dogs don't tear us apart

Oh, oh Genevieve
Oh, sweet Genevieve




Hold on to me
My sweet Genevieve

Overall Meaning

In Ron Hawkins's song "Genevieve," the singer speaks to a girl named Genevieve who seems to be struggling in the town they live in. The singer begins by acknowledging the harshness of their town, describing it as a "guillotine" and the people as having "sharp tongues like blades so mean they can bleed you blue." Despite the town's brutality, other boys in the neighborhood want to be with Genevieve. The singer doesn't blame them but feels they misunderstand the kind of girl she is.


The singer then addresses Genevieve directly and admits that she's never had much use for him. He offers her company until the ambulance comes, possibly referring to her mental or physical health. He mentions the "cruel maps" of scars along her arms, indicating that she may be struggling with self-harm. He questions how life got so hard and encourages her not to climb her bedroom walls and to rise above those who are mean to her because she's smarter than them all.


In the final verse, the singer dreams of running away with Genevieve to Montreal and starting a band. He believes that they can make it despite what other people may think. The song's ending chorus is a plea for Genevieve to hold on to the singer as they face whatever comes next. The song is a poignant reminder that even in the face of the cruelty of others, there are people who care and want to help.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Genevieve, this town is a guillotine
Hey Genevieve, this town is a place of danger and threat where people with sharp tongues can ruin your life.


Sharp tongues like blades so mean they can bleed you blue
People around here can be so nasty that they can hurt you as deeply as a blade, leaving you feeling blue and hurt.


All those neighbourhood boys just want to get in your corduroys
All the boys in this neighborhood want to have sex with you, Genevieve, but they do not understand your worth as a person.


I can't blame 'em but they miss the point with a girl like you
It is understandable why the boys want you, but they fail to recognize how special you are as a person, Genevieve.


Hey there Genevieve, you never had much use for me
You have never paid any attention to me, Genevieve, and I cannot blame you for that.


But I'll keep you company until the ambulance comes
However, I will still be here for you in times of need or danger, Genevieve, and will support you until the end.


Cruel maps of railroad scars, along the tracks of your pretty arms
You have scars on your arms that look like railroad maps, Genevieve, and they remind me of how cruel life can sometimes be.


How the hell did it get so hard just to take life as it comes
Why does life have to be so difficult and full of challenges, Genevieve? Why can't we just accept things as they are?


No, don't do it
Please, Genevieve, do not take any drastic actions or make any bad decisions.


Don't climb your bedroom walls
Don't isolate yourself from the world, Genevieve. Don't close up and become a prisoner of your own thoughts and feelings.


Don't rise to it
Don't let the negative voices or criticisms get to you, Genevieve. Don't let them bring you down.


'Cause you're smarter than them all
You are smarter and stronger than all the people who are trying to drag you down, Genevieve.


And I always knew it
I have always known that you are a special person, Genevieve. I have always believed in you and your abilities.


I just never had the guts to call
I never had the courage to tell you how I truly feel, Genevieve. I was afraid of rejection or of damaging our friendship.


I hung up once or twice
I have tried to call you before, Genevieve, but I sometimes get cold feet and hang up before you answer.


My fingers cold as ice
My fingers feel cold and numb with fear when I try to call you, Genevieve.


And I left you all alone
I have left you feeling alone and unsupported, Genevieve, and for that, I am sorry.


On the dark side of the phone
When I have hung up on you, Genevieve, I have left you on the dark side of the phone, feeling isolated and lonely.


Hey Gen you know some day, we oughta cut class and run away
Genevieve, we should skip school and run away together someday, just for fun and adventure.


Hop a Greyhound to Montreal and start us a band
We could travel to Montreal on a Greyhound bus and start a musical band together, Genevieve.


I can sing and play guitar and you can scream all the pretty parts
I can provide the music for our band, Genevieve, and you can sing and add your own unique touch to the songs.


Cross your fingers those city dogs don't tear us apart
Let's hope we can survive in the big city, Genevieve, without getting torn apart or destroyed by the harshness of city life.


Hold on to me
Genevieve, please hold on to me and never let go. I will always be here for you, no matter what happens.


My sweet Genevieve
You are a sweet and kind person, Genevieve, and I am lucky to have you in my life.




Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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