Shadows may hide you but also may be your grave
You're running today maybe tomorrow you'll be saved
You pray for daylight to save you for a while
You wonder if your children will face the killer's smile

Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, where jail birds die

Face at the window leers into your own
But it's only your reflection still you tremble in your bones
How long can you hide? How long till they come?
A rat in a trap but you've got to survive

Once you were glad to be free for a while
The air tasted good and the world was your friend
Then came the day when the hard times began
Now your alone but alive for how long?

Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, where jail birds die

A knife at your throat another body on the pile
A contract to keep and it's service with a smile
Murder for vengeance or murder for gain
Death on the streets or a blackened out jail

Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men, tell no tales
In Gangland, where jail birds die

Dead men
Gangland
Murder
Gangland tell no tales


Lyrics submitted by numb

Gangland Lyrics as written by Adrian Frederick Smith Clive Ronald Burr

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sentric Music

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Gangland song meanings
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    General Comment

    Another great song - don't know why so many people criticize it. I think the lyrics are very evocative, they really tell a story and put you in it.

    Anyway, a pretty straight-forward thriller/adventure story based on Gangster films and such - just some guy on the run from the mob. Some of the books on Iron Maiden have pointed out this whole album seems to be about "escape" of one form or another, and this song certainly fits the bill.

    Heavymetalharpon August 22, 2016   Link

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