Chain Mail

Chain Mail is the lead track and single on the Sit Down EP, James’ first release for Sire Records in March 1986. A live version also appeared on the 1989 One Man Clapping album.

Chain Mail appeared under various titles such as Tin Can, Sea Shanty ans Sea Song on demo tapes and in radio sessions dating back to 1983.

It was resurrected in acoustic form between 1992 and 1994 and brought back into the set as a regular on the 2007 reunion tour.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs

High voice, deep inside
Witness what you think you hide
I will race you through emotions
If you let me in
I made an armour plated suit
You put your lips to helmet slits
Tried to suck me out the tin
I can't get out, I'm welded in

Oh look at the chain mail and his bodyguard
Look at the chain mail and his shoddy bodyguard
Look at the chain mail and his bodyguard
Chain mail, chain mail, chain mail

High voice, deep inside
Witness what you think you hide
I will race you through emotions
If you let me in
That body's naked as the mind
The bruises mark the site of blows
Inside my suit my body's fine
When I last looked it looked like mine
I'd run away to pray for tears
Or sitting still to see
What lives behind at the back of the mind
When you have peeled the onion leaves

I'm going deeper and deeper in debt
Deeper and deeper in debt
Deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper in debt
I'm not the only one in chains
I hear you creaking in the rain
Under pressure, under stress
I see you through your holy vest
That body's naked as the mind
When I last looked, it looked like mine

Oh look at the chain mail and his body guard
Look at the chain mail and his shoddy body guard
Look at the chain mail and his body guard
Chain mail
Chain mail
Chain mail
Chain mail