David Bowie

I Have Not Been to Oxford Town

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I Have Not Been to Oxford Town Lyrics

Baby Grace is the victim
She was 14 years of age
And the wheels are turning, turning
For the finger points at me
All's well
But I have not been to Oxford Town
All's well
No I have not been to Oxford Town
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
And the prison priests are decent
My attorney seems sincere
I fear my days are numbered
Lord get me out of here
All's well
But I have not been to Oxford Town
All's well
But I have not been to Oxford Town
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
This is your shadow on my wall
This is my flesh and blood
This is what I could've been
And the wheels are turning and turning
As the 20th century dies
If I had not ripped the fabric
If time had not stood still
If I had not met Ramona
If I'd only paid my bill
All's well
But I have not been to Oxford Town
All's well
But I have not been to Oxford Town
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
This is my bunk with two sheets
This is my food though foul
This is what I could have been
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
All's well
20th century dies
All's well
All's well, all's well
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies
Toll the bell
Pay the private eye
All's well
20th century dies

Submitted by

saturnine On May 02, 2004

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saturnine

Submitter

2004-05-02 01:47:17

4 Meanings

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by user_lain

20y ago

He has not been to Oxford Town.

Duh.

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by SenatorCWu

20y ago

A slightly modified version of this song was played in Starship Troopers.

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by Mr. Bewlay

20y ago

This song is supposed to be from Leon's point of view. I see it as his attempt at an alibi, the murder of Baby Grace having taken place in Oxford town.

"And the wheels are turning, turning For the finger points at me"

He's on trial now because the evidence points to him as the killer.

"And the prison priests are decent My attorney seems sincere I fear my days are numbered"

He's already been convicted and he's sitting in prison trying to make the best of things, but wondering if he's going to get the death penalty.

"If I had not met Ramona"

Maybe Ramona lead Nathan to Leon.

"If I'd only paid my bill"

If he'd paid his bills at the time, he'd have records that he was at home and not in Oxford Town.

The story goes that Baby Grace Blue was killed on December 31, 1999. Hence "20th century dies"

Basically I think the song means that Leon can't come up with a decent alibi, and he's screwed. I think it's odd that this sounds and feel upbeat compared to the rest of the album, especially since it seems to be about one of the main characters going to prison.

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by Methusalah 14y ago

I think you're pretty close. I also think that Ramona was probably Baby Grace's mother and it's possible that she killed the child and framed leon for it.

by Vasco Af. 4y ago

@Mr. Bewlay\r\nGreat conclusion view.\r\nAlso think the same... ????

by Buddha of Suburbia

19y ago

Does anyone think it could be a reference to Dylan's Oxford Town... from the song "Oxford Town"...?

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