James And The Cold Gun

Album: The Kick Inside (1978)
Play Video
  • James, come on home
    You've been gone too long baby
    We can't let our hero die alone
    We miss you day and night
    You left town to live by the rifle
    You left us to fight
    But it just ain't right to take away the light

    Remember Genie, from the casino
    She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
    The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
    Till they get out of hand
    And wish they were dead
    They're only lonely for the life they led
    With their old friend
    Oh
    James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

    Where lies your heart?
    It's not there in the buckskin baby
    It's not there in the gin that makes you laugh long and loud

    You're a coward James
    You're running away from humanity
    You're running out on reality
    It won't be funny when they
    Rat-a-tat you down

    Remember Genie, from the casino
    She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
    The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
    Till they get out of hand
    And wish they were dead
    They're only lonely for the life they led
    With their old friend
    Oh
    James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun? Writer/s: KATE BUSH
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Andrew from London, United KingdomA bit of a stretch to link this song to James Bond. I always thought that this song was about an ex-gang leader from wild west times who has hit the bottle big time. His gang and his woman 'Jeannie' miss him and want him back.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.