Giving Up the Gun
Your sword’s grown old and rusty
Burnt beneath the rising sun
It’s locked up like a trophy
Forgetting all the things it’s done
And though it’s been a long time
You’re right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes
That now you’re giving up the gun
When I was 17
I had wrists like steel
And I felt complete
But now my body fades
Behind a brass charade
And I’m obsolete
But if the chance remained
To see those better days
I’d cut the cannons down
My ears are blown to bits
From all the rifle hits
But still I crave that sound
CHORUS
I heard you play guitar
Down at a seedy bar
Where skinheads used to fight
Your Tokugawa smile
And your garbage style
Used to save the night
You felt the coming wave
Told me we’d all be brave
You said you wouldn’t flinch
But in the years that passed
Since I saw you last
You haven’t moved an inch
CHORUS
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
CHORUS
Music by Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson and Chris Baio / Lyrics by Ezra Koenig / Produced by Rostam Batmanglij
Other versions
Giving Up the Gun (Extended Mix)Giving Up the Gun (Dub)Giving Up Da GunLovely GunFeatured on
Merch
Live recordings
- Enmore Theatre9 January 2020


- Razzmatazz24 November 2019



- Teatro Metropolitan21 October 2019



- Red Rocks Amphitheatre8 October 2019


- Piedmont Park15 September 2019


- Agganis Arena3 September 2019



- Trinity College1 July 2019



- Huntingon Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island16 June 2019


- Webster Hall5 May 2019


- Little John’s Farm22 August 2014


- Great Stage Park13 June 2014


- Randall’s Island Park8 June 2014


- Autódromo de Interlagos6 April 2014


- Hipódromo de San Isidro2 April 2014


- Parque O’Higgins30 March 2014


- Shrine Auditorium7 December 2013


- Le Zénith21 November 2013


- Zilker Park11 October 2013


- Barclays Center20 September 2013


- Universidad Complutense14 September 2013


- Golden Gate Park11 August 2013


- Grant Park4 August 2013


- Passeio Marítimo de Algés12 July 2013


- Festival Park4 July 2013


- Roseland Ballroom28 April 2013


- Empire Polo Grounds21 April 2013


- The Moody Theater17 March 2013


- Stubb’s Bar-B-Q16 March 2013



- Royal Adelaide Showgrounds25 January 2013


- Big Day Out Sydney18 January 2013


- Union Park15 July 2012


- In the Venue2 September 2010



- Daruopvej3 July 2010


- Glastonbury Festival25 June 2010


- Radio 1’s Big Weekend23 May 2010



- Studio 6H6 March 2010

