Tomblands
The Libertines Lyrics


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High register operational

In the land of the gauching skiving sun
Their bodies are in the room, lad
Never an honest day's work is done
They call it the Tomblands

They got to me
No, they're never gonna get me no
Never gonna get me no
Never gonna get me no

Fifteen holes in the dealer's chest
Yo ho ho he was a mini martial man
Serve the girls and shovel up the rest
Pieces of eight in the jukebox

Oh you know
Didn't want to be the one to tell you
She was only fourteen
Sussed out your dirty sordid little scene

No, never gonna get me no
Never gonna get me no




Never gonna get me no
Yeah, they're never gonna get me, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Libertines's song "Tomblands" describe the gritty reality of a seedy underworld known as the Tomblands. It's a place where the sun is always shining, but no real work is getting done. The gauching skiving sun is a sly reference to the people who are lazing around in the street. The Tomblands is a dangerous place, a place where fifteen holes can end up in someone's chest. Despite the danger, the singer refuses to be caught or influenced by the Tomblands. Even as he sees the sordid scene of people selling girls and collecting pieces of silver from the jukebox, he refuses to be a part of it. It's a tough world, but the singer is too strong to succumb to it.


Line by Line Meaning

High register operational
This line does not have a coherent meaning, but it is likely an introduction to the song that sets the mood for what is to come.


In the land of the gauching skiving sun
This line describes a place where people are lazy and unproductive, often soaking up the sun instead of doing their work.


Their bodies are in the room, lad
The people in the Tomblands are often dead or dying, and their remains are left to rot in rooms.


Never an honest day's work is done
The people in the Tomblands are known for being lazy and dishonest, avoiding real work and often resorting to criminal activity.


They call it the Tomblands
The area being described is known as the Tomblands, possibly due to the high mortality rate and decay that occurs there.


They got to me
The singer has been affected by the darkness and despair that surrounds the Tomblands and its inhabitants.


No, they're never gonna get me no
The singer is determined to avoid becoming like the people in the Tomblands and succumbing to their fate.


Fifteen holes in the dealer's chest
Someone has shot the dealer, leaving fifteen bullet holes in his chest.


Yo ho ho he was a mini martial man
This line acknowledges the dealer's toughness and bravery, even if he ultimately met a violent end.


Serve the girls and shovel up the rest
The dealer may have been involved in prostitution or other unsavory activities, and those responsible for his death are simply cleaning up the mess he left behind.


Pieces of eight in the jukebox
This may be a reference to the pirates of years past, who would use pieces of eight as currency. The jukebox in the Tomblands may be filled with music that glorifies this type of lifestyle.


Oh you know
The artist is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or someone who is familiar with the Tomblands.


Didn't want to be the one to tell you
The singer has information that they are hesitant to share with the other person, possibly because it is unpleasant or potentially dangerous.


She was only fourteen
This line reveals that someone in the Tomblands was involved in sexual relations with someone who is underage and therefore cannot legally give consent.


Sussed out your dirty sordid little scene
The singer has discovered something unsavory or unpleasant about the other person, possibly involving their involvement in criminal activity or morally questionable behavior.


Yeah, they're never gonna get me, no
The artist reiterates their determination to not become like the people in the Tomblands and to avoid being sucked into the dark, depressing world that surrounds them.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL BARAT, PETER DOHERTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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