| Bruce Springsteen – Outlaw Pete Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Here's one way to look at it. Pete obviously had hard begginings. As a result, he robbed banks and did other outlaw things for glory and recognition. This is where the first refrain comes in. All he said was "Folks, my name is Outlaw Pete." I'm Outlaw Pete! I'm Outlaw Pete! Can you hear me? He wanted people to acknowledge him and know that he existed. As he got older, he found no satisfaction in the outlaw life and grew resentful of the world. The second refrain seems to be directed at God, as if Pete is telling Him that he's an outlaw and God can do nothing change that. He then saw the death his life would bring him. In fear, he tried to run, not just from the law but from the person he had become. He found a wife and tried to settle down. I'm not sure whether "that beautiful daughter" refers to his wife or a daughter they had, but an obvious change can be seen in Pete in the third refain. Here he admits his past to his family and asks if they can forgive for what he's done. He comes to regret his past now that he has found love in the world he used to hate. Now enters Bounty Hunter Dan a symbol of the life Pete wants to leave behind. Dan is consumed by his hatred of Pete so much that he refuses to allow Pete any kind of peace. With his dying words in refrain four, Dan tells Pete that he can not escape his past. He can never be just Pete. He will forever be "Outlaw Pete". Pete runs again but perhaps this time to keep other bounty hunters away from his family. His ultimate fate is left unanswered. He may have gone over the ledge to try to finally get away from "Outlaw Pete". He may have sat on the mountain and froze to death trying to come to grips with his past. Only Springsteen knows for sure. We are only left with the final refrain where a mournful Navajo girl, either Pete's wife or daughter, cries out for her beloved Outlaw Pete. |
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