Troubled weather's on its way
Tempests threaten us today
There's no respite from long dark nights
Just the fantasy of spring

From the hailstones of summer
To a scorching winter land
A frozen death sleep, then this heat
Beats down on this buckled land

Flames lick closer to the core
From city limits fireball
And in a headless chicken run

Race red and screaming fire engines
Then the cannons came

Oh 'neath the brooding sky
Beneath its baleful eye
The cannon shot, the cannon crack
Disturbing night dreams

People fled in droves
To the lakes and to the shores
Left behind a near ghost town
Save the life of the cannons resounding

Still there was no rain
No rain, no rain, no rain

Once more in the line of fire
Hovers the preying sky
The cannons aim jabs at the eye
Heralding the rain

Heralding the rain
Oh, heralding the rain
Heralding the rain



Lyrics submitted by Kaitou

Cannons Lyrics as written by Peter Clark Severin

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Cannons song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +2
    Song Meaning

    "In the middle of all this, I saw a documentary about this period of freak weather in the '20s, when it was either incredibly hot ot ridiculously cold. TS Eliot had written a poem about it. Apparently, in desperation, the locals would fire a cannon into this oppressive sky each night in the hope of bursting a rain cloud. The image of this deserted town, with someone having to stay behind to fire the cannon, stuck with me and became "Cannons" on the new album"

    • SIOUXSIE as quoted in SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY
    laurelinwyntreon February 11, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    SIOUXSIE: " 'Cannon': "It was inspired by seeing a book programme about T. S. Eliot. I think it was. And it touched upon this freak weather period in the 20's, when it was either incredibly hot and oppressive or ridiculously cold when it shouldn't have been. Apparently, in desperation about what to do a cannon was shot into this oppressive sky every night in the hope of bursting a rain cloud. The image of this deserted town, with someone having to stay behind to fire the cannon, stuck with me." Source: NME 28/09/8.

    CARRUTHERS: "In Spanish medieval times, if it hadn't rained and the crops were suffering then they pointed a cannon into the sky in the hope of bursting the clouds." Bang! Source: Melody Maker 1986.

    JJKelsallon December 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Back in the day when there was a drought people used to in an act of desperation would fire cannons into the sky in hope that it would release rain.

    riverplateon December 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Some leaders turn to war to revive an ailing country

    xianificenton July 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song. In fact, I do an acoustic cover of it at my shows. I love the "oppositness" of "the hailstones of summer and "a scorching winter land". That's intersting that they would shoot cannons in hopes of "opening" the sky for rain. Brilliant song...one of my favourites off of Tinderbox!

    leopeaon May 14, 2008   Link

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