Gun Shy
10,000 Maniacs · Trilogy [2005]
I always knew that you would take yourself far from home
as soon as, as far as you could go.
By the 1/4 inch cut of your hair and the Army issue green,
for the past eight weeks I can tell where you've been.
For I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun.
So now you are one of the brave few,
it's awful sad we need boys like you.
I hope the day never comes for
"Here's your live round son.
Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun."
Well I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldiers blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun taking aim.
For I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you
and I don't mean to spoil your home coming,
but baby brother you should expect me to.
"Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun."
So now does your heart pitter pat with a patriotic song
when you see the stripes of Old Glory waving?
Well I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun taking aim.
I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you
and I don't mean to spoil your homecoming my baby brother Jude
and I don't mean to hurt you by saying this again,
they're so good at making soldiers
but they're not so good at making men.
as soon as, as far as you could go.
By the 1/4 inch cut of your hair and the Army issue green,
for the past eight weeks I can tell where you've been.
For I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun.
So now you are one of the brave few,
it's awful sad we need boys like you.
I hope the day never comes for
"Here's your live round son.
Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun."
Well I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldiers blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun taking aim.
For I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you
and I don't mean to spoil your home coming,
but baby brother you should expect me to.
"Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun."
So now does your heart pitter pat with a patriotic song
when you see the stripes of Old Glory waving?
Well I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me
there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins.
There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it promise me
you won't meet it with your gun taking aim.
I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you
and I don't mean to spoil your homecoming my baby brother Jude
and I don't mean to hurt you by saying this again,
they're so good at making soldiers
but they're not so good at making men.
Gun Shy - 10,000 Maniacs
Released on the Trilogy album in 2005, "Gun Shy" stands as a defining track for the American rock band 10,000 Maniacs, blending their signature atmospheric sound with a driving, rhythmic energy. The song exemplifies the group's ability to merge indie rock sensibilities with orchestral textures, creating a sonic landscape that feels both intimate and expansive. As part of their discography during this period, the recording captures the band's evolution, showcasing a polished production style that contrasts with their earlier, more experimental works. The track remains a staple of their catalog, often cited by fans and critics alike as a prime example of the band's late-period creativity and emotional depth.