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Machine Gun Blues Lyrics

Well I’m a gangster 1934
Junkies, wino's, pimps and whores
And all you men, women and kids, let’s get out the way
I just left your town, took all your loot
Bought a pink carnation and a pinstripe suit
A hopped up V8 Ford and some two toned 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 before the break of dawn
I hit the highway, smoke a big cigar
I gotta stop and burry the cash and get some more
There’s only one thing on my mind
And that's making it across that ol' state line
But there's a hail of avenging bullets
Waiting there for me

And I’m already gone,
I left a 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

Well, I'm public enemy number one
I’m sorry for all the things 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've got the machine gun blues
Already gone,
My life will soon be through
I've got the machine gun blues
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Cover art for Machine Gun Blues lyrics by Social Distortion

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...

Song Meaning
Cover art for Machine Gun Blues lyrics by Social Distortion

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.

Cover art for Machine Gun Blues lyrics by Social Distortion

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

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...

 
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