Teenage Mary said to Uncle Dave
I sold my soul, must be saved
Gonna take a walk down to Union Square
You never know who you're gonna find there
You gotta run, run, run, run, run
Take a drag or two
Run, run, run, run, run
Gypsy Death and you
Tell you whatcha do
Marguerita Passion had to get her fix
She wasn't well, she was getting sick
Went to sell her soul, she wasn't high
Didn't know, thinks she could buy it
And she would run, run, run, run, run
Take a drag or two
Run, run, run, run, run
Gypsy Death and you
Tell you whatcha do
Seasick Sarah had a golden nose
Hobnail boots wrapped around her toes
When she turned blue, all the angels screamed
They didn't know, they couldn't make the scene
She had to run, run, run, run, run
Take a drag or two
Run, run, run, run, run
Gypsy Death and you
Tell you whatcha do
Beardless Harry, what a waste
Couldn't even get a small town taste
Rode the trolleys down to forty seven
Figured he was good to get himself to heaven
'Cause he had to run, run, run, run, run
Take a drag or two
Run, run, run, run, run
Gypsy Death and you
Tell you whatcha do


Lyrics submitted by capitol76

Run Run Run Lyrics as written by Lou Reed

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Run Run Run song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    the constant rhythm in the song is perfect. the guitar is quite unique as well. it's all over the place. but most of the velvets stuff is.

    prettywhnsedatedon December 27, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    "Teenage Mary, said to uncle dave/Sold my soul, must be saved"

    The virgin mary was a teenager when she found out she would have jesus as a son. Uncle Dave could be King David, who was connected to the birth of Jesus (not sure how). Introduces the song with some sort of biblical religious reference (regardless of the meaning has been influential in songwriters like black francis).

    TozieDon January 10, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    There is a fantastic live version of this song (it skips the second verse) where you feel the energy of the song. Just great lines - the opening verse for me always set the mood. Taking a walk to Union Square and then you never know what you'll find there. Lou writes from personal experience of the lower Manhattan drug scene.

    John_Caleon October 09, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Velvet Underground songs overall aren't too hard to interpret -- the thing that I love about their lyrics are more the deeper implications behind the song's rather straight-forward lyrics. Why did they make a song about four kids killing themselves on drugs? It is just complete self-awareness. They are dying through their choice of drug, through their lifestyle -- and the self-hatred and equal indifference just resonates through so much of their music.

    AndrewVSon June 12, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Your RUN RUN RUN song is awesome. realonlinereview.com/hard-on-demand/

    cepixikoon November 29, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sounds like it's about chasing the dragon. 'Selling your soul' refers to the addiction.

    AstroZombie777on December 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of my favorite VU's.

    "Gypsy Death and you," that line sends chills down my spine.

    Greyshoeson December 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sounds like a drug addiction, "selling your soul" to me sounds like playing with death! Gypsy death-refers to the drug death

    ScarletGDon January 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    can someone explain this songs plot?

    richa_zerlinaon October 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    MY FAVORITE VU SONG... well heroins maybe a bit better.. but yeah i love this band

    g0alpost1on September 09, 2008   Link

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