 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (1996) [ larger cover art ] |
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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 '66 and 7 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
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 ''(Time, time, time, for another peaceful war)''
Norway's greatest son ''(Time stands still for Roland, till he evens up the score)''
They can still see his headless body stalking through the night
In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun
In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun
Roland searched the continent for the man who done him in
He found him in Mombasa 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
Roland the headless Thompson gunner
Roland the headless Thompson gunner
Roland the headless Thompson gunner
Talking about the man
Roland the headless Thompson gunner
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
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: Feb 08, 2013 - 05:11 unclehud wrote: My turn to beat this dead horse ... the Thompson was the standard weapon for US forces in WWII, I believe. My opinion? If confronted with boys and girls who were shooting at me, I'd PREFER something that spat out 600 .45 caliber bullets each minute. As any submariner will tell you, we ride inside our weapons. Well, more accurately, the Thompson was standard issue to platoon leaders in WWII. My dad was a platoon leader in 2nd Rangers, and he described it pretty much the same as Misterfixit. |
| ColdMiser (Out in the Cold) | Posted: Dec 07, 2012 - 12:05 One of the regrets of my life is not seeing Warren live...thankfully there is YouTube to "experience" it virtually. He is in my Pantheon of musical gods for sure |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Dec 07, 2012 - 12:00 Cynaera wrote: I still love this song. I wish I could hear more Zevon here, apart from "Werewolves of London." He did such wonderful stuff in his life - my personal favorite lately is one of his latest - "Disorder In The House" with Bruce Springsteen - I can't upload it, but if someone would, it'd be such a great addition to the Zevon library at RP! Damn - he knew he was dying, so he went out twisting and shouting. So typical of him - he never did anything halfway. He always took on life full-tilt with all ailerons open and maybe the parachute would open. We miss you too, Ann.I miss my friend Warren.  |
| gypsyman (just passing through....) | Posted: Dec 07, 2012 - 11:59 Warren was a class act. RIP, my friend. |
| hencini | Posted: Jul 03, 2012 - 06:40 Such a beautifully crafted.song. Best line: "Roland aimed his Thompson gun; he didn't say a word." Brilliant. |
| gjr (boston, ma) | Posted: Apr 30, 2012 - 17:10 talkin' about the man! |
| boober (KC,Mo) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 13:42 Cynaera wrote: I still love this song. I wish I could hear more Zevon here, apart from "Werewolves of London." He did such wonderful stuff in his life - my personal favorite lately is one of his latest - "Disorder In The House" with Bruce Springsteen - I can't upload it, but if someone would, it'd be such a great addition to the Zevon library at RP! Damn - he knew he was dying, so he went out twisting and shouting. So typical of him - he never did anything halfway. He always took on life full-tilt with all ailerons open and maybe the parachute would open. I miss my friend Warren. I'll drink to that Cynaera |
| BBOGDA | Posted: Sep 21, 2011 - 19:54 Love everything Warren. |
| fathom39 | Posted: Jan 16, 2011 - 22:42 This was the last song he ever performed live, on Letterman. It is preserved on youtube, of course. Very well done, emotionally and musically, and a great backup from Paul's band. |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 21:03 I still love this song. I wish I could hear more Zevon here, apart from "Werewolves of London." He did such wonderful stuff in his life - my personal favorite lately is one of his latest - "Disorder In The House" with Bruce Springsteen - I can't upload it, but if someone would, it'd be such a great addition to the Zevon library at RP! Damn - he knew he was dying, so he went out twisting and shouting. So typical of him - he never did anything halfway. He always took on life full-tilt with all ailerons open and maybe the parachute would open. I miss my friend Warren. |
| david1045 (Madison Wisconsin) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 20:50 Love some of his work...but this one is weak. |
| h8rhater | Posted: Sep 08, 2010 - 09:32 Misterfixit wrote: Bush and Cheney's exit-stage-right theme song. Of course, Zevon writes/sings about "a Thompson Gun" and I suppose he meant the Thompson sub-machine guy of 1920's Chicago fame. I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. BTDT, BTW. Dave Nerds come in all shapes and sizes. |
| oilydwarf | Posted: Sep 08, 2010 - 09:31 I rate Warren Zevon very highly but could never see the appeal of this song. What am I missing? Someone help me!! |
| sfearll (Sunny SoCal) | Posted: Sep 08, 2010 - 09:30 join the Facebook campaign to get Warren Zevon nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. search on Warren Zevon (the URL won't post here) please forgive this "commercial" on RP... |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Aug 07, 2010 - 09:12 AlienRelic wrote: I always liked this song, but always wondered about the line "He didn't say a word..." Uhh, he was headless. How COULD he say a word? Well, how could he see Van Owen to aim at him and shoot him? Come on - don't be so literal-minded. Just go with it. It's a great song, and picking apart the virtues and disadvantages of a Thompson sub-machine gun over an AK47 or whether or not Roland could talk if he was headless is just silly. Besides, Roland was a ghost, so he couldn't have held a gun at all, much less fired it effectively. And Van Owen wouldn't have been able to see him... See what I mean? Over-analyzing a song just ruins the fun and magic of it! This song will always be a 10 for me.  |
| Randomax (Wimberley, TX) | Posted: Aug 07, 2010 - 09:05 I always thought you and Bruce Cockburn should have done a song or two together.... |
| Randomax (Wimberley, TX) | Posted: Aug 07, 2010 - 09:04 Man, I miss you Warren....... |
| peacockangel (Phoenix) | Posted: Jul 06, 2010 - 12:09 The Bravery of Being out of Range / Waters would follow this perfectly ~ just sayin |
| grignr | Posted: Jul 06, 2010 - 12:08 Talkin' about the man... |
| ScottN (Vacationing in Gaza) | Posted: Jun 04, 2010 - 16:09 Easy to write "we miss you Warren" And it's easy to be sincere when doing so. Yeah, enjoy every sandwich! |
| Tippster (Washington, DC) | Posted: Jun 04, 2010 - 16:02 I'ma set out for Biafra myself. |
| Decoy (Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe) | Posted: Apr 02, 2010 - 07:02 reminds me to enjoy every sandwich |
| gjr (boston, ma) | Posted: Apr 02, 2010 - 07:01 that sunavabitch vanOwen.................................nuf ced |
| Bosami (Deep in the heart of nowhere) | Posted: Apr 02, 2010 - 07:00 Did I hear Jackson Browne singing backup vocals in the chorus? |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Mar 31, 2010 - 13:23 Misterfixit wrote: (edit) I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. (edit) BTDT, BTW. My turn to beat this dead horse ... the Thompson was the standard weapon for US forces in WWII, I believe. My opinion? If confronted with boys and girls who were shooting at me, I'd PREFER something that spat out 600 .45 caliber bullets each minute. As any submariner will tell you, we ride inside our weapons. |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Mar 31, 2010 - 12:56 fergie348 wrote: Just awful - had to turn RP off for the first time today. This is like listening to my mostly-deaf uncle talk about the war, but without the humor. Depressing.. Funny, but I think the entire song is humour. That is, when it isn't cynically sarcastic. And thank your mostly deaf uncle for his service! Uncle Hud, US Navy submarines, 1976-1982 (because of the close quarters on subs, we used sawed-off shotguns instead of Thompsons) |
| fergie348 | Posted: Mar 01, 2010 - 16:01 Just awful - had to turn RP off for the first time today. This is like listening to my mostly-deaf uncle talk about the war, but without the humor. Depressing.. |
| SmileOnADog (Arizona) | Posted: Mar 01, 2010 - 16:00 "His hair was... perfect." Send lawyers, guns, and money, the Option ARM crisis has hit the fan. |
| BluEyes | Posted: Dec 28, 2009 - 18:21 I have not heard this since I lost it when my last desktop computer went belly up.  |
| stevenv58 (Elliot Lake Ontario, Canada) | Posted: Nov 27, 2009 - 08:50 conglif wrote: Misterfixit wrote: (snip) I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. (snip) Well, maybe, but... Furthermore, this ain't a Thompson, either:  Its called "Artistic License." Warren wasn't writing for a gun rag, dude! "Roland the Headless AK Gunner" or "Roland the Headless Uzi Gunner" just don't have the same ring to 'em! (Now do they?) Well said.............  |
| conglif | Posted: Sep 25, 2009 - 10:17 Misterfixit wrote: (snip) I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. (snip) Well, maybe, but... Furthermore, this ain't a Thompson, either: Its called "Artistic License." Warren wasn't writing for a gun rag, dude! "Roland the Headless AK Gunner" or "Roland the Headless Uzi Gunner" just don't have the same ring to 'em! (Now do they?) |
| maroubra (British Columbia Canada) | Posted: Sep 25, 2009 - 09:45 We miss you Warren. You wrote some great songs. Peace brother. |
| nate917 (2,815 miles from home) | Posted: Sep 25, 2009 - 09:38 Misterfixit wrote: Bush and Cheney's exit-stage-right theme song. Of course, Zevon writes/sings about "a Thompson Gun" and I suppose he meant the Thompson sub-machine guy of 1920's Chicago fame. I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. BTDT, BTW. Dave The SPCA loves Warren Zevon, but I think they'd like to speak to you about that baboon whose ass you set on fire. |
| squidish (Underwater in the SF Bay) | Posted: Sep 25, 2009 - 09:31 Zevon The Hunter S. Thompson Gunner |
| unclehud | Posted: Jul 24, 2009 - 07:34 I was on a submarine crew when this album was released. We were Headless Thompson Gunners in bars throughout the Pacific Rim — from Oakland to Agana to the Chagos Archipeligo. Thanks for the flashback, bro! |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver, Canada) | Posted: Jun 22, 2009 - 17:08 One of the great song titles of all time! (leave it to WZ) |
| mybaldbird | Posted: Jun 22, 2009 - 12:34 AlienRelic wrote: I always liked this song, but always wondered about the line "He didn't say a word..." Uhh, he was headless. How COULD he say a word? It's a joke!  |
| Baby_M (a 100-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio) | Posted: Jun 22, 2009 - 12:33 AlienRelic wrote: I always liked this song, but always wondered about the line "He didn't say a word..." Uhh, he was headless. How COULD he say a word? Me too. This was the unofficial anthem of the Wargamers' Club when i was in undergrad. A mercenary action/adventure/espionage/revenge/ghost story ballad—how can you not love this?  |
| isayhoomhom (Bethel, CT) | Posted: Jun 22, 2009 - 12:33 Misterfixit wrote: Bush and Cheney's exit-stage-right theme song. Of course, Zevon writes/sings about "a Thompson Gun" and I suppose he meant the Thompson sub-machine guy of 1920's Chicago fame. I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. BTDT, BTW. Dave Your comment reminds me I need to trim my nose hairs. |
| Misterfixit (Nashville) | Posted: May 21, 2009 - 18:39 Bush and Cheney's exit-stage-right theme song. Of course, Zevon writes/sings about "a Thompson Gun" and I suppose he meant the Thompson sub-machine guy of 1920's Chicago fame. I can't think of a worse weapon to carry into a war. Damned heavy; muzzle jumps like a baboon climbing a tree with his ass on fire. .45 rounds and the 50-round drum weigh a ton. Nope, give me a good ole AK47 anyday. Utilitarian death-machine. BTDT, BTW. Dave |
| AlienRelic (east of Eden) | Posted: Mar 19, 2009 - 14:21 I always liked this song, but always wondered about the line "He didn't say a word..." Uhh, he was headless. How COULD he say a word? |
| countyman (sixburgh) | Posted: Mar 19, 2009 - 14:21 steeler wrote:  The cryptic and sometimes understated brilliance of Warren. How true! |
| Darrooon (sjc»ca»us»3rdrock) | Posted: Mar 19, 2009 - 14:21 This has always been a good campfire song over the years, provided the right people with guitars were present.  |
| steeler (Sixth Heaven) | Posted: Mar 19, 2009 - 14:19 The cryptic and sometimes understated brilliance of Warren. |
| Tagish_girl (happily seeking hammock, Helsingborg, Sweden) | Posted: Feb 16, 2009 - 01:25 Never heard this before, but it is pretty good. Love the ending..... |
| steeler (Staring, blankly, into the abyss) | Posted: Jan 15, 2009 - 08:26 Don't hear this one all that often. Thanks, Bill. |
| rvontha (Erie, PA) | Posted: Jan 15, 2009 - 08:20 Great Zevon tune! Thanks Bill! |
| Bocephus (Boulder, CO) | Posted: Jan 15, 2009 - 08:20 Brilliant. Enjoy every sandwich indeed. |
| nagsheadlocal (North Carolina, the new New Jersey) | Posted: Jan 15, 2009 - 08:19 Enjoy every sandwich. - WZ |
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