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It Couldn't Be the Gun

by David Michael King

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This song was inspired by the mass shooting at "The Dark Knight Rises" midnight show. Afterwards, the NRA and numerous politicians were doing everything they could to explain why these killings had nothing to do with a gun.

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lyrics

IT COULDN'T BE THE GUN

A crowded midnight show, they were packed in real tight
He had a loaded Smith and Wesson and a Dark Knight
In the glow of the screen he let the bullets fly
Popcorn in the seats and blood in the aisles.

In the headlines and the talk shows the question was the same
How could this have happened, who should get the blame?
One man had the answer for how these people died
He looked into the camera and told us “why.”

It had to be those violent games, the voices in his head
TV shows, he lived alone, he did not take his meds
It had to be his childhood, he never had much fun
Cause it couldn’t be, it couldn’t be
It couldn’t be the gun.

Flags at half-staff, a nation showed it cared
We lit another candle and we bowed our heads in prayer
People called for justice, priests talked of sin
The politicians swore “Never again.”

So the politicians set to work to make things right
Debate the constitution ‘til the middle of the night
The man with all the answers made things real clear
He handed out some money and whispered in their ears

The neighbors all said, “He usually kept to himself
Such a quiet young man
No one could have seen, no one could have known
What he would do with a gun in his hand.”

It had to be those violent games, the voices in his head
TV shows, he lived alone, he did not take his meds
It had to be his childhood, he never had much fun
Microwaves or nasal sprays or cherry-flavored gum.

It had to be the Twinkies, red dye or caffeine
Public schools, liberal news, fluoride or vaccines
Had to be a full moon or eclipse of the sun
Cause it couldn’t be, it couldn’t be
It couldn’t be the gun.

No, it couldn’t be, it couldn’t be
It shouldn’t be, it wouldn’t be
It must not be, it can not be the gun.

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credits

released December 16, 2014
Words and music by David Michael King

David Michael King lead vocals and acoustic guitar
Doug Wilkin electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and harmony vocals

Recorded in 2014 at Wilkin Audio.

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David Michael King Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

David Michael King wrote music and lyrics for two 15-minute musicals: "Take Me," with book by Maureen McGranaghan and "One Night," with book by Zhiwei Ma. He has had musical theater pieces performed in Hot Metal Musicals. His singer-songwriter tunes can be heard on "Love and Other Punchlines" and other recordings. Performances include playing with Pete Seeger and opening for The Subdudes. ... more

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