Live 29 Apr 1981 version
I thought it was a nightmare
But it was so true
Now you better not walking slow
The devil's on the loose
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
I thought I heard a rumble
And someone call my name
Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries, "Take aim"
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
Well over on the mountain
???
He cried, "Let the people seek my wisdom,
Fill this land with smoke"
Better run through this jungle
Better run through ???
Better run through ???
And don't look back ???
Me and Robert Williams
Out on Route Line 3
Last night they dragged him out of his house
And shot him in the street
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle
Baby don't look back
Well now the land's on fire
It's written in blood in the sky
Men they load shotguns out of the truck
The city's burning tonight
Mary wake up, look out your window
I see the tide is turning
'Cause out across the cornfield tonight
I see crosses burning
Better run through this jungle
Better run through this jungle, woah!
Better run through this jungle
Don't look back
I thought it was a nightmare
But it was the truth
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE is a song originally released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1970. See the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version for more details.
The above lyrics are for the live 29 Apr 1981 version of RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE at Sportpaleis Ahoy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, during The River Tour. The song was the show opener and was played in a rearranged slower version extended with three Springsteen-penned verses. See the "Springsteen's Verses" section below for more details.
During The River Tour, Bruce Springsteen used the chorus and the three verses (verse 1, verse 2, and verse 3 below) from the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version, and he added two or three more verses that he wrote. The chorus and the six verses are:
| Chorus: | Better run through the jungle |
| Better run through the jungle | |
| Better run through the jungle | |
| Whoa don't look back to see | |
| (from the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version) | |
| Verse 1: | Whoa thought it was a nightmare |
| Lord it was so true | |
| They told me don't go walking slow | |
| The devil's on the loose | |
| (from the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version) | |
| Verse 2: | Thought I heard a rumbling |
| Calling to my name | |
| Two hundred million guns are loaded | |
| Satan cries, "Take aim" | |
| (from the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version) | |
| Verse 3: | Over on the mountain |
| Thunder magic spoke | |
| "Let the people know my wisdom, | |
| Fill the land with smoke" | |
| (from the original Creedence Clearwater Revival version) | |
| Verse 4: | Now me and Robert Williams |
| We were out on Route Line 3 | |
| Well last night they pulled him out of his house | |
| And shot him in the street | |
| (example take from the live 08 May 1981 version) | |
| Verse 5: | Now baby the land's on fire |
| It's written in blood in the sky | |
| Men pulling shotguns out of the truck | |
| The city's on fire tonight | |
| (example take from the live 08 May 1981 version) | |
| Verse 6: | Baby look out your window |
| Can't you see the tide's turning | |
| Out across the cornfield | |
| I see something burning | |
| (example take from the live 08 May 1981 version) |
When Springsteen performed RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE during The River Tour (see the "Live History" section below), he followed the following sequences:
The lyrics "Well last night they pulled him out of his house / And shot him in the street" would later be used in BELLS OF SAN SALVADOR.
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE was performed at least 3 times during The River Tour (138 dates, October 1980 to September 1981). On this tour, the song was the show opener and was played in a rearranged slower version extended with two or three Springsteen-penned verses.
Thanks Pete Russell (Peteadmin at Brucebase) for the lyrics correction.
The above lyrics may not be 100% correct. If you have any additions, comments, or corrections, please contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE on this website:
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE [Live 29 Apr 1981 version]
