you got me with nothing to win...

[azz]

a. You got me with nothing to win and nothing left to lose.

Does that mean:

1. You brought me into a condition in which I have nothing to win and nothing left to lose. You caused me to be in a situation where I have nothing to win and nothing left to lose.
or:
2. You found me in a condition where I had nothing to win and nothing left to lose. I was in that condition when you got me.

The line is from a very famous song by the Irish group U2. The song is called "With or Without you".

Many thanks
Azz

 

[Tdol]

2 sounds more likely to me, but others may see things differently.

 

[5jj]

2 sounds more likely to me, but others may see things differently.

I agree.

As we say so often in this forum, song lyrics do not often have a precise meaning - and can sometimes be completely meaningless. The writers are often more interested in rhyme, rhythm and general impression than in real meaning.

 

[azz]

Many thanks to both of you and all those who confirmed your replies with their likes!

I entirely agree with 5jj. Rock lyrics do not necessary follow grammatical rules and at times are totally meaningless. However, I thought the sentence could have a meaning.

I also agree with Tdol.


People do say:
He got me with my pants down.

I think one could also say:
The beggar got me with no money. I couldn't help him. I had nothing to give him.

But I don't think
He got me with no money.

could ever mean: He made me become penniless.