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Artist: Vampire Weekend
Track: Giving Up the Gun

Lyrics
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 seventeen, I had wrists like steel
And I felt complete
And now my body fades behind a brass charade
And I'm obsolete
But if the chance remains 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

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

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

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

I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on
(I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on)
(I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on)

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
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Lyrics
Vampire Weekend – Giving Up the Gun
“Giving Up The Gun” is technically an update of Ezra Koenig’s 2004 “Giving Up Da Gun” by L'Homme Run, a comedic rap duo that Koenig created during while attending Columbia
Vampire Weekend – Giving Up the Gun Samples
See all of “Giving Up the Gun” by Vampire Weekend’s samples, covers, remixes, interpolations and live versions
L'Homme Run – Giving Up Da Gun
[Chorus] / 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
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Genius Q&A
Q:When did Vampire Weekend release “Giving Up the Gun”?
Vampire Weekend released “Giving Up the Gun” on February 19, 2010.
Genius Albums
Contra (Japan Limited Edition CD) by Vampire Weekend
Get all the lyrics to songs on Contra (Japan Limited Edition CD) and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics.
Contra (Japanese CD) by Vampire Weekend
Get all the lyrics to songs on Contra (Japanese CD) and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics.
Contra by Vampire Weekend
Contra is the second studio album by Vampire Weekend. They tried many new musical styles, including dubbed and slowed vocals, clattering pseudo-punk, African guitar riffs, grand
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