The song opens with a flamenco guitar solo (taken from a seldom-heard Mellotron bank of Spanish guitar runs; on some CD reissues, this solo closes the previous track, "Wild Honey Pie"), followed by the chorus, sung by all four Beatles, Ringo's then-wife Maureen, and Yoko Ono (providing the only female lead vocal on a Beatles recording, for a single line). John Lennon, who wrote the song, is the primary lead singer. Like the majority of songs written by either Lennon or Paul McCartney it is credited to Lennon/McCartney.The song was recorded at Abbey Road on 8 October 1968 and was completed including all overdubs in this one session. The Beatles also started and completed the Lennon-composed 'I'm So Tired' during the same recording session.
The Continuing Story
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
In case of accidents he always took his mom
He's the all-American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise
So Captain Marvel zapped him right between the eyes
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
The children asked him if to kill was not a sin
"Not when he looked so fierce", his mommy butted in
"If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him".
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
The lyrics of "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" tell the story of an American tourist named Bungalow Bill who goes on a hunting trip in India with his mother, armed with a gun and accompanied by his elephant. The children in the song repeatedly ask Bungalow Bill what he killed on his hunting trip. The chorus serves as a chant, with the children eagerly inquiring, "Hey, Bungalow Bill, what did you kill?" After Bill and his elephants were attacked by tigers, Captain Marvel shot and killed the tiger in defense.
The song critiques the colonial mindset and the glorification of hunting for sport. The character of Bungalow Bill represents the entitled and privileged American tourist, who travels to foreign lands for exotic experiences and the opportunity to take down big game. The children's questioning of what Bungalow Bill killed highlights the senseless violence of hunting. The line, "If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him", suggests that the danger was not from the tiger but from the humans who put themselves in harm's way through their own recklessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Bungalow Bill
The singer addresses Bungalow Bill, prompting him to share what he has killed.
What did you kill Bungalow Bill?
The singer asks Bungalow Bill to share what he has killed again, possibly to emphasize the importance of the question.
He went out hunting with his elephant and gun
Bungalow Bill went hunting with both an elephant as well as a gun.
In case of accidents he always took his mom
Bungalow Bill consistently brought his mother along with him to ensure safety in the event of an accident.
He's the all-American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son
Bungalow Bill is the epitome of an all-American, bullet headed, Saxon mother's son.
Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bungalow Bill and his elephants ventured deep into the jungle where the mighty tiger resides.
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise
Bungalow Bill and his elephants were caught off-guard by something.
So Captain Marvel zapped him right between the eyes
Captain Marvel shot Bungalow Bill right between the eyes, possibly killing him.
The children asked him if to kill was not a sin
The children questioned Bungalow Bill if killing was not a sin, suggesting some level of moral ambiguity to what he did.
"Not when he looked so fierce", his mommy butted in
Bungalow Bill's mother defends him by saying that killing was not wrong since the target looked fierce and would have killed them instead.
"If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him".
Bungalow Bill's mother implies that they had to kill the fierce animal because it posed a threat to them and would have killed them instead.
Hey, Bungalow Bill
The singer once again addresses Bungalow Bill for the children to ask him what he killed.
What did you kill Bungalow Bill?
The singer repeats the question to Bungalow Bill to place emphasis on its importance and possibly give him the chance to repent if necessary.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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