Introduction
“You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” is a popular song from the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” written by Irving Berlin. The song was first performed by Ethel Merman in 1946 and has since become a classic. The song is known for its catchy tune and humorous lyrics, which poke fun at the idea that a woman needs a gun to attract a man. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” and explore the meaning behind them.
Verse 1
The first verse of the song goes:
Oh my mother was frightened by a shotgun they say
That’s why I’m such a wonderful shot
I’d be out in the cactus and I’d practice all day
And now tell me, what have I got?
I’m quick on the trigger
With targets not much bigger
Than a pinpoint, I’m number one
But my score with a feller
Is lower than a cellar
Oh you can’t get a man with a gun
In this verse, the singer explains that she became a skilled shooter because her mother was scared by a shotgun. She boasts about her accuracy, but admits that she has trouble attracting men despite her skill with a gun.
Chorus
The chorus of the song goes:
With a gun, with a gun
No you can’t get a man with a gun
If you want a male
Rear back and take a bow
Shoot the moon
And he’ll be there, sure enough
With a gun, with a gun
No you can’t get a man with a gun
A man with a gun
In the chorus, the singer repeats the idea that a gun is not an effective way to attract a man. She suggests that a woman should instead “rear back and take a bow” to get a man’s attention. The line “Shoot the moon and he’ll be there, sure enough” is a playful reference to the card game Hearts, where shooting the moon means winning all the points.
Verse 2
The second verse of the song goes:
Once a pistol-packin’ mama
Took a shot at Mister Clive
But he don’t aim to marry
Any time, he’s alive
I’m cleaning my gun
And I’m feeling like a son of a gun
I’m a wonderful wife
They say my laugh is a scream
Ha ha
I’ve a ten dollar charm
And I’m all dressed up
Like a million dollar trooper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper
Super duper
In this verse, the singer tells a story about a woman who tried to use her gun to force a man to marry her, but was unsuccessful. She then describes herself as a “wonderful wife” with a charming laugh and expensive clothing, but still struggling to attract a man. The line “Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper” is a reference to the actor known for his Western roles.
Verse 3
The third and final verse of the song goes:
The daffydils and daisies
Will break my heart in spring
Then who’ll be my rainy day man?
Who’ll come and take away my heartache?
Thunder and lightning
And love, oh love
Will break the sword that guards the throne
But until then, I’ll remain
Unwed and unfree
But maybe he’ll come to me
Climb up my apple tree
Climb up my apple tree with me
In this verse, the singer laments the loneliness she feels in the springtime and wonders who will be her “rainy day man” to comfort her. She acknowledges that love can be powerful enough to overcome even the strongest barriers, but until then she will remain unmarried and unfree. The final lines suggest that she is open to the idea of a man climbing up her apple tree to be with her.
Conclusion
“You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” is a fun and catchy song that pokes fun at traditional gender roles and the idea that a woman needs a gun to attract a man. The lyrics are full of playful humor and clever wordplay, making it a classic of the musical theater genre. While the song may have been controversial when it was first written, it is now celebrated for its feminist message and its celebration of women’s strength and independence.
