Lyrics
Little Joe they're out to get ya
Little Joe is under threat, and there are people actively trying to harm him.
Right or wrong they'll never let you go
Regardless of whether Little Joe is right or wrong, his pursuers are relentless and won't allow him to escape.
And you know it's them or you
The situation is a matter of survival for Little Joe; it's either him or them.
And since they swore
Refers to a promise or commitment made by someone.
You'd never make it back alive
There's a belief that Little Joe won't survive a dangerous situation.
If they don't bring you down by 12
If the pursuers don't succeed by noon, they will accomplish their goal by 5 o'clock.
They're gonna bring you down by 5
The pursuit has a strict deadline, emphasizing the urgency and inevitability.
Well you came straight out of Tucson
Little Joe's origin is Tucson, and he stands out among those considered insignificant ("mice").
Such a man among the mice
Describes Little Joe as a strong and exceptional individual.
She swore she's gonna marry you
Someone (possibly a woman) has expressed a commitment to marry Little Joe and change his life for the better.
Change your life to right
The commitment involves transforming Little Joe's life in a positive direction.
But you ain't about to settle down
Little Joe is not ready to settle down and commit for an extended period.
For a hundred years or more
Little Joe is resistant to long-term commitments for a significant period.
But you know she's right behind you
Despite Little Joe's reluctance, someone is closely following him as he tries to leave.
As your sneaking out the door
The person is watching Little Joe as he sneaks away.
Little Joe she's out to get ya
Reiterates that Little Joe is a target, and someone is actively trying to capture him.
Right or wrong she'll never let you go
Similar to line 2, emphasizing the relentless pursuit and lack of escape for Little Joe.
'Cause she knows it's you for her
The person chasing Little Joe believes he is meant for her, indicating a personal connection.
And since she swore you'd
Refers to a promise made to capture Little Joe, ensuring he won't escape alive.
Never get away alive
The pursuer has a specific timeframe to achieve the goal, similar to lines 6 and 7.
If she don't bring you down by 12
The pursuer's deadline for capturing Little Joe, emphasizing the sense of urgency.
She gonna bring you down by 5
The pursuit has a strict deadline, reinforcing the inevitability of Little Joe's capture.
Well you came straight out of Frisco
Little Joe's origin is now Frisco (San Francisco), and he's been involved in the Vietnam War.
On a boat for Vietnam
Little Joe traveled to Vietnam by boat, indicating his military involvement.
And you try to justify it
Little Joe tries to rationalize or justify his actions during the war, questioning if he can kill another person.
Can you kill another man
The ethical dilemma of taking another person's life is presented to Little Joe.
And you swear you'll never fire a gun
Little Joe makes a pledge never to use a firearm.
But a bullet kills your friend
A tragic event occurs, leading Little Joe to break his promise and use a gun.
And you flip the safety off your gun
Little Joe prepares to use his firearm in response to a threatening situation.
And get ready for the end
Little Joe faces a critical moment, possibly anticipating his own demise.
Well you came straight from Diego
Little Joe arrives from San Diego with military honors.
With some medals and some stars
Describes Little Joe's decorated status with medals and stars.
And you fight the war all over
The war continues for Little Joe in the social settings of honky-tonks and bars.
In the honky tonks and bars
The impact of the war on Little Joe's life is extended to everyday places like bars.
And a man who should know better
Someone advises Little Joe against fighting, suggesting it's foolish.
Tells you fighting is just for fools
Despite acknowledging the advice, Little Joe kills the advisor, possibly due to a lack of alternative principles.
And though you know he's right you kill him
Reflects the conflict between knowing the advice is valid and resorting to violence due to a lack of alternatives.
Because you got no other rule
Little Joe resorts to killing because he perceives no other guiding principle or rule.
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