Looking Through Gary Gilmore's Eyes

I can see clearly
now the rain has gone.
I read the news today, oh boy.
Psycho killer -- qu'est-ce que c'est?
Nice surprise.
They've given me his eyes.
Will I start to show
at the bars he used to go?
Bottom rung, unsung,
unhung, bring 'em young.
My name is Faye --
now you're gonna pay.
Lean, mean, Steve McQueen,
Terry Malloy,
Bobby Prewitt.


I can see Deirdre
now Lorraine has gone.
Sound and vision.
Going in with my eyes open.
Slip slidin' away.
New start, too smart,
play the part,
Robin Hood, no good,
In cold blood,
through the heart.
Let's do it.

 

 

Author's Note

Gary Gilmore made international headlines when he insisted that the state of Utah execute him (by firing squad). This death sentence was duly carried out on Monday January 17, 1977. He donated his eyes to medical science.

Punk rock group The Adverts subsequently released a hit single, “Looking Through Gary Gilmore's Eyes".
(1) I can see clearly: in this stream-of-consciousness section, we can imagine the recipient of Gilmore's eyes waking in hospital, and hearing the radio playing. "I Can See Clearly Now" was a 1972 hit for Johnny Nash.
(2) I read the news: This line comes from "A Day in the Life", by The Beatles (1967).
(3) Psycho killer: Quoted from the song of the same name, by Talking Heads (1977).
(4) unhung: Gilmore imagines himself as a romantic, western-style outlaw hero. He is also "unhung" in the sense that, offered a choice of death by hanging or firing squad, he chose the bullets.
(5) bring 'em young: Gilmore's final relationship - and the one which may have pushed his sociopathic personality over the edge - was with a 19-year-old girl (he was in his 40s). In addition, his parents' vicious fights, which he witnessed as a child, may have affected him psychologically. His father often insulted his Mormon mother by referring to Brigham Young as a pedophile ("bring 'em young").
(6) My name is Faye: Gilmore was deeply disturbed to learn that his name at birth was Faye Coffman. Here, he quotes the tough, resentful hero of the Johnny Cash song, "Boy Named Sue".
(7) Terry Malloy, Bobby Prewitt: As Gilmore grew up in a wandering, impoverished family in the 1940s and 50s, we can imagine that his heroes were the unhappy, misfit characters of contemporary movies (Marlon Brando played Terry Malloy in "On the Waterfront", 1954, and Montgomery Clift took the role of Bob Prewitt in "From Here to Eternity", 1953).
(8) I can see Deirdre: It is not clear whether the recipient of Gilmore's eyes is talking of his own affairs, or is morphing into Gilmore.
(9) Sound and vision: David Bowie had a hit with this song in 1977.
(10) Going in with my eyes open: This is the title of a minor 1977 hit for David Soul.
(11) Slip slidin' away: Gilmore believed in rebirth, and this was a central reason for demanding his own execution - so that he could begin a new and better existence. He was convinced that he was the illegitimate grandson of Harry Houdini, and could "escape" from his current, unhappy life. The words form the title of a Paul Simon song from 1977.
(12) too smart: Gilmore's IQ was measured at 133.
(13) In cold blood: Here, Gilmore likens himself to Perry Smith, the homeless, purposeless killer anti-hero of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" (1966).
(14) Let's do it: Gilmore's final words, moments before his execution.