WEIRD LYRICS - VOLUME ONE

Now begins a new tradition I've been thinking of instituting for quite a while.

It's called Weird Lyrics.

Here's how it works.

At the risk of being forcibly (or in a dopey way) interactive:

Weekly, or thereabouts, I'll tap the archive for the weirdest and most interesting lyrics ever written (not typically gross or puerile or scatalogical - just weird or obscure) and you interpret them. Many of these may actually be topical or quite specific in their subject matter, but just odd in their execution. And some (like this first one) probably do have a meaning (politcal or otherwise). Nevertheless, meaning, as it were, is notoriously subjective. Remember it's all about interpretation - so there are no right answers.


The first installment comes to us from that late, great son of Russian immigrants, Warren Zevon. Legends say he studied under Igor Stravinsky before becoming a popular songsmith, singer, keyboardist, and guitarist. An extensive world traveler, he drew on his many experiences for inspiration. He was most famous for what is often mistaken for a novelty hit, "Werewolves of London", which boasts unusual lyrics about werewolves drinking pina coladas at Trader Vics and eating beef chow mein in Soho. But, in fact, Zevon had a long and interesting musical career, enjoyed a large and loyal fan base, and was deeply respected (and eventually canonized) by fellow musicians and critics alike. The style and content of his lyrics was consistently unique.
Witness the following:


ROLAND THE HEADLESS THOMPSON GUNNER
by Warren Zevon

Roland was a warrior from the Land of the Midnight Sun
With a Thompson gun for hire, fighting to be done
The deal was made in Denmark on a dark and stormy day
So he set out for Biafra to join the bloody fray

Through sixty-six and seven they fought the Congo war
With their fingers on their triggers, knee-deep in gore
For days and nights they battled the Bantu to their knees
They killed to earn their living and to help out the Congolese

Roland the Thompson gunner... talkin' about the man.
Roland the Thompson Gunner.

His comrades fought beside him - Van Owen and the rest
But of all the Thompson gunners, Roland was the best
So the CIA decided they wanted Roland dead
That son-of-a-bitch Van Owen blew off Roland's head

Roland the headless Thompson gunner
Norway's bravest son
Roland the headless Thompson gunner

Time, time, time
For another peaceful war
But time stands still for Roland
'Til he evens up the score

Roland searched the continent for the man who'd done him in
He found him in Mombassa in a barroom drinking gin
Roland aimed his Thompson gun - he didn't say a word
But he blew Van Owen's body from there to Johannesburg

Roland the headless Thompson gunner
You can still see his headless body stalking through the night
In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun

The eternal Thompson gunner
still wandering through the night
Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight
In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and ... Berkeley
Patty Hearst
heard the burst
of Roland's Thompson gun
... and bought it

Okay --- now it's your turn. Who is Roland and/or what does he represent? (Personal note: it helps to know your 20th century history, i.e. Patty Hearst.)

Warren Zevon died of cancer in 2003.

Quotes from Warren Zevon:

(Commenting on his terminal illness): "You've gotta remember, it's not morbid to me. I know the hearse is parked at the curb and the motor is running. The thing is, I'm still trying to be cheery about it."

I guess I made sort of a tactical error by not going to the doctor's in twenty years.. Just one of those phobias that didn't pay off.

Enjoy Every Sandwich.