Oh, no cannonballs did fly, no rifles cut us down
No bombs fell from the sky, no blood soaked the ground
No powder flash blinded the eye, no deathly thunder sound
But just as sure as the hand of God, they brought death to my hometown
They brought death to my hometown
No shells ripped the evening sky, no cities burning down
No armies stormed the shores for which we’d die
No dictators were crowned
I awoke from a quite night, I never heard a sound
Marauders raided in the dark and brought death to my hometown, buys
Death to my hometown

They destroyed our families’ factories and they took our homes
They left our bodies on the plains, the vultures picked our bones

So listen up, my sonny boy, be ready for when they come
For they’ll be returning sure as the rising sun
Now get yourself a song to sing and sing it ’til you’re done
Yeah, sing it hard and sing it well
Send the robber barons straight to hell
The greedy thieves who came around
And ate the flesh of everything they found
Whose crimes have gone unpunished now
Who walk the streets as free men now

Ah, they brought death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, whoa!


Lyrics submitted by shannakett99, edited by ccccccc

Death to My Hometown Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Death to My Hometown song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    "Death to My Hometown" alludes to the current global financial crisis.

    Mr. Springsteen uses Celtic rhythms (even a touch of an accent in his voice) to give the effect of an old war anthem, while pointing out that while "marauders" come in different forms than you are used to, the result is the same: death to your hometown.

    You've been warned.

    franklintitanon August 16, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song (in my opinion seems obvious) concerns the recent housing debacle, and all the foreclosures that are going on destroying neighborhoods and homes all over the United States. That homes and towns are vacant, when there isn't a war or other catastophe to blame. That the bankers who committed the current housing crisis have committed crimes, yet its been covered up, ignored and un-punished. Very good catchy song. Thoughts?

    tanelicuson March 18, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about a guy named James Johnson who is still walking the streets with Barney Frank and Barack Obama. There is a war raging and most don't know or won't care until they have to move out of their own Detroit.

    deegeejay333on December 30, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    As the concept album proceeds, bankers are taking care of their own for easy money. Blue collared people felt the burden - felt like shackled and drawn. Even they tried to become Jack of All trades to survive, the hometown or globally financial market melt down. With the depression sinks in, you can hear more of anger from Bruce/ blue collared people in each song as the album progresses. Awesome listen and you need to listen the whole album in the order.

    WiseOldGuyon July 07, 2021   Link
  • -3
    General Comment

    Not Bruce's best work - this song is far too strident in its faux-populist self-righteousness. He's better sticking to songs about the human condition and leave all of the politicking behind. And incidentally, there is someone to blame, and that's our elected officials in Washington, the ones who have systematically run down our economy and country.

    lebigmacon May 25, 2012   Link

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