If I had a cigarette
For every time a perfect stranger asked me for a cigarette
Then I'd have enough cigarettes
To get me through the day

And if I had some spare change
Every time a perfect stranger asked me for some spare change
Then I'd have enough spare change
To take care of these bills I need to pay

And dude, I know that times are tough
But that does not mean that you can have my stuff
So how about a ride?
I could drive you to the shelter
We could eat dinner at the Andre House
And you could even take a shower

Cause I think you deserve much more
Than a smoke and fifty cents
You deserve to be self-sufficient
And buy your own cigarettes

Oh when the saints
Oh when the saints
Oh when the saints go marching in
They will feed you so much pizza
That you'll forget about the rut that you are in

Oh when the saints
Oh when the saints
Oh when the saints go marching in
Well I'm sure they'll feel so much better
With the illusion that they're helping out those sinners

When all they really do is buy the so-called "sinners" shitty dinners
Like five dollar hot n' ready pizzas
And hi fructose corn syrup punch
You're diabetic and apathetic
Wondering when they'll bring you lunch
To the park they keep you in
Oh, when the saints go marching in

So I wish I had a cigarette
For every time a perfect stranger asked me for a cigarette
But I wonder what a cigarette
Will really do to help that person out

I wish to god I had some spare change
Every time a perfect stranger asked me for some spare change
But there's not enough spare change in the world
To make such and empty gesture count.


Lyrics submitted by mr53xy

Zombie By The Cranberries song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

3 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    Memory

    One time walking out a bar with my boyfriend at the time, a homeless man walked up to us and asked for a cigarette. I gave him one of mine. He started to walk away but then turned around again and asked if one of us had a dollar and got one from my boyfriend. When he left we both started walking toward the car and suddenly, at the same time began singing, "If I had a cigarette...."

    Planets89on October 05, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This hits close to home since I was homeless for a few months. There is a disconnect from you and people with homes, it almost feels like a class system or something. They are usually truly just humans down on their luck. It's a rather cynical song, but it is true that people kindof see the homeless as much less of a person. It's like "I want to help them, I just don't want them in my sight or to talk to me." Now that I am not homeless people treat me much better even though I have always been the same person.

    leoglotron August 17, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is very obviously not a cover of "Zombie," but I suppose they're saying it's similar in spirit, or it's a response to or qualification of the song.

    LtAxlerod932on November 13, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Siberian Kiss
Glassjaw
its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
Album art
when rules change
Life in Your Way
High life
Album art
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone). And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.