Sniper (song)
Encyclopedia
"Sniper" is a ballad
written by Harry Chapin
and first released on the album Sniper and Other Love Songs
in 1972.
with some fictional accounts taken. In the song, the actual sniper
, Charles Whitman
, is not mentioned by name nor is the location revealed. The victims' names have also been changed.
The song begins with a man climbing tower on a university campus and begins shooting at people on the streets below. Throughout the song, the time signature changes several times, with variations in tempo. The beginning describes the sniper walking climbing the stairs of the tower, "two bulky suitcase
s hang from his hands." The song alternates between this fast, tense intro and slower, more retrospective sections, including interviews with people who had known the sniper from classes or around town. Finally, a section describes the poor relation between the sniper and his mother, who had ignored him as a child. In the end, the sniper is killed by a SWAT
team which has climbed the tower. The snipers last words, "I was, I am, and now I will be" lend insight into the psychology
of the sniper, who has been on a lifelong quest for self actualization
.
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
written by Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter best known in particular for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the number-one hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the...
and first released on the album Sniper and Other Love Songs
Sniper and Other Love Songs
Sniper and Other Love Songs is the second studio album by the American singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, released in 1972. The album's title song is a vaguely fictionalised account of Charles Whitman's shootings from the University of Texas at Austin Main Building clocktower in August 1966...
in 1972.
Overview
The 9-minute, 55-second song is based on the 1966 University of Texas shootingCharles Whitman
Charles Joseph Whitman was a student at the University of Texas at Austin and a former Marine who killed 16 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus on August 1, 1966....
with some fictional accounts taken. In the song, the actual sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
, Charles Whitman
Charles Whitman
Charles Joseph Whitman was a student at the University of Texas at Austin and a former Marine who killed 16 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus on August 1, 1966....
, is not mentioned by name nor is the location revealed. The victims' names have also been changed.
The song begins with a man climbing tower on a university campus and begins shooting at people on the streets below. Throughout the song, the time signature changes several times, with variations in tempo. The beginning describes the sniper walking climbing the stairs of the tower, "two bulky suitcase
Suitcase
A suitcase is a general term for a distinguishable form of luggage. It is often a somewhat flat, rectangular-shaped bag with rounded/square corners, either metal, hard plastic or made of cloth, vinyl or leather that more or less keeps its shape. It has a carrying handle on one side and is used...
s hang from his hands." The song alternates between this fast, tense intro and slower, more retrospective sections, including interviews with people who had known the sniper from classes or around town. Finally, a section describes the poor relation between the sniper and his mother, who had ignored him as a child. In the end, the sniper is killed by a SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
team which has climbed the tower. The snipers last words, "I was, I am, and now I will be" lend insight into the psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
of the sniper, who has been on a lifelong quest for self actualization
Self actualization
Self-actualization is a term that has been used in various psychology theories, often in slightly different ways. The term was originally introduced by the organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize one's full potential...
.