Music Video

Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
David Sylvian
David Sylvian
Vocals
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Synthesizer
D. Torn
D. Torn
Electric Guitar
D Cummings
D Cummings
Percussion
Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson
Double Bass
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
David Sylvian
David Sylvian
Composer
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
String Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
David Sylvian
David Sylvian
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Richard Moakes
Richard Moakes
Assistant Recording Engineer
Steve Nye
Steve Nye
Producer
Ronald Prent
Ronald Prent
Assistant Recording Engineer
Steve Parker
Steve Parker
Assistant Recording Engineer
John Timperley
John Timperley
Assistant Recording Engineer
Jean-Jacques Lemoine
Jean-Jacques Lemoine
Assistant Recording Engineer
Steve Williams
Steve Williams
Assistant Recording Engineer

Lyrics

He knows well his wicked ways
A course of bitterness
A grudge held from his childhood days
As if life had loved him less
Reading down his list of names
He ticks them one by one
He points the barrel at the sky
Firing shots off at the sun
"I am the law and I am the king
I am the wisdom, listen to me sing"
He carves out the victim's names
In the wooden butt of the gun
He leans well back against the tree
He knows his kingdom's come
He'll breathe a sigh self-satisfied
The work is in good hands
He shoots the coins into the air
And follows where the money lands
"I am the law and I am the king
I am the wisdom, listen to me sing"
He pauses at the city's edge
Of hellfire and of stone
He summons up the devil there
To give him courage of his own
He'll free the sinners of deceit
They'll hear his name and run
His justice is his own reward
Measured out beneath the sun
"I am the law and I am the king"
And my name's on the gun
"I am the wisdom, listen to me sing"
And my name's on the gun
"I am the law and I am the king
I am the wisdom, listen to me sing"
Work has just begun
For the boy with the gun, oh
Written by: David Sylvian
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