Press GangMurder City Devils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴I knew him when he was breathing He was a good man, he was a young man He was like you, he was like me
Twisting in the breeze (Cut him down, cut him down) Left for the children on the street (Cut him down, cut him down) On the street
He should've kept his mouth shut He never shoulda left that ship Don't go drinking down by the docks You don't know if you'll wake up
I knew him when he was breathing He was a good man, he was a young man He was like you, he was like me It could've been me It could've been me
👉 For more insights, check out this resource.
Twisting in the breeze (Cut him down, cut him down) Left for the children on the street (Cut him down, cut him down) On the street
Woke up on the water No one ever asked him if he wanted to go Didn't have any options He was smart - he got out when he could Should've stayed in the Pacific Should've stayed in the Pacific Coulda had it good Any island, any island wouldn't do Any island wouldn't do
👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.
I knew him when he was breathing He was a good man, he was a young man He was like you, he was like me It could've been you It should've been me
But it shoulda been the press gang (Cut him down, cut him down) But it shoulda been the press gang (Cut him down, cut him down)
Cut him down, cut him down Cut him down
The Murder City Devils song "Press Gang" is a haunting reflection on the horrors of the press gang system, which was used by the British Navy to forcibly recruit sailors from coastal communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. The lyrics intertwine images of death and despair with a sense of helplessness and injustice. The first stanza sets the scene with the image of a man hanging from the gallows, his body twisted and dripping onto the streets below. The singer observes the scene from their window, emphasizing the public spectacle of the man's execution. The second stanza serves as a eulogy for the victim, emphasizing his humanity and the senselessness of his death. The repeated line "It could've been me" underscores the randomness of the press gang system and the fear it instilled in coastal communities. The final stanza shifts the focus to the man himself, as the singer imagines his thoughts and regrets. The line "Should've stayed in the Pacific" suggests that the man had a choice to leave the British navy, but was forced back into service.
Overall, "Press Gang" is a powerful condemnation of the press gang system and a reminder of the terrible toll it exacted on countless individuals and communities.
Pecked by the seagulls, hanging from the gallowsHe was left to rot in public after being executed by the authorities
Twisting in the breeze, dripping something on the streetsHis lifeless body was displayed outside with fluids dripping onto the ground
I can see him from my window, they can see him from the waterEveryone in town could see his body hanging outside for days
Just a victim of the press gangHe was forced to join the navy against his will and paid the price with his life
He should've kept his mouth shutHis death was due to him speaking out against the navy's practices
He never shoulda left that shipIf he hadn't deserted his post, he wouldn't have been caught and punished
Don't go drinking down by the docksThe danger of joining the navy was ever-present and even socializing in the area had its risks
He was smart - he got out when he couldHe was fortunate to be able to escape the navy before things got worse
Should've stayed in the PacificA less risky location to avoid getting caught by the navy
Any island, any island wouldn't do Any island wouldn't doFinding sanctuary on any island wouldn't guarantee his safety, he had to be strategic
But it shoulda been the press gang (Cut him down, cut him down) But it shoulda been the press gang (Cut him down, cut him down) Cut him down, cut him downInstead of blaming the victim, people should be holding the press gang accountable for their ruthless practices
Contributed by Owen T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.