Well I'm a gangster 1934, junkies, winos, pimps and whores
And all you men, women and kids, best get out the way
I just left your town took all your loot
Bought a pink carnation and a pin-striped suit
Hopped up the V-8 Ford in some two-tone shoes
And I'm already gone, I left a pool of blood and sorrow
I got the machine gun blues

I'll be out of here for the break of dawn
I'll hit the highway, smoke a big cigar
Gotta stop and bury the cash, then get some more
There's only one thing on my mind
That's make it across that old state line
With all the hell of the avenging bullets
Waiting there for me
And I'm already gone, I left the path of pure destruction
I've got the machine gun blues

Already gone, my life will soon be through
I've got the machine gun blues

I'm public enemy, number one
I'm sorry for all the things that I've done
If indeed we do cross paths, it's nothing personal

And I'm already gone, I left a trail of devastation
I got the machine gun blues
Already gone, my life will soon be through
I got the machine gun blues


Lyrics submitted by xCretin

Machine Gun Blues Lyrics as written by Jon Wickersham Michael Ness

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing

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Machine Gun Blues song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +1
    Song Meaning

    On youtube, someone commented "Is he singing about the life and times of John Dillinger?" That makes sense to me... Dillinger was a gangster and bank-robber in the depression-era and got shot in 1934. and was definitely was public enemy #1 at some point...

    viciousdeliciouson March 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song makes me think of "O Brother, Where Art Thou" and their portrayal of George "Baby Face" Nelson as the manic-depressive gangster. Also relevant: The real Babyface Nelson became Public Enemy #1 following Dillinger's death in July 1934. Nelson himself died (in a hail of avenging bullets, no less) at the Battle of Barrington in November of that year.

    xarexeraxon May 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    most songs from mike ness are autobiographical but this song is written from the perspective of a gangster

    PUNKRKRon January 25, 2011   Link

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