Well he was fueled by a lack
Drew inspiration from a need
So many problems to crack
And mouths to feed
Crooked was the path
And brazen was the walk
A cocky swagger, up the ladder
And could he ever talk
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
The love of God
And constant contradictions
With just a smile, wink or nod
What's stranger, fact or fiction?
And never ceasing to amaze
On a regular basis
First hand into his pocket
Or first fist into the faces
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
A legendary character
When? Only then
Where? Only there
A hero or a hooligan?
Well, that part's never clear
Pride or shame, it's all the same
Who's innocent and who's to blame?
Politics or just a game?
Well in the end they knew his name
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them



Lyrics submitted by Jurak

The Rascal King Lyrics as written by Joseph Gittleman Dicky Barrett

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Rascal King song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is about the mayor of a major american city, not sure of it was new york or boston, who was put in gaol while still serving as mayor, and apparantly still served out his term...from behind bars

    Louis Burdetton April 25, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    its about Mayor Curley who was mayor of boston during Prohibition.

    sinkinboaton May 29, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again"

    "The Last Hurrah" was a movie based on the political career of Curley. "I'd do it again" was the name of Curley's autobiography.

    BamSplaton February 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    And Curley was re-elected while in prison. Living in Porvidence with Buddy Cianci, I can relate, and i wish he were still mayor.

    MattieCampon October 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "The Last Hurrah" was also a novel by Edwin O'Connor. Its a fictional story with main character Frank Skeffington based on Curley. The film was based on the book.

    Twinb1983on August 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great great song, my US history teacher played this tune for us today in class because we are studying Curley and what have you

    flip the tapexXon February 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the songs about a guy that (as much as i hate to coin the phrase) was a working class hero and regardless of wether his endevours interested or effected you in any way provoked a song that never fails to put me in a good mood and remind me what we can be capable of! im so gutted i never got to hear them in concert and if anyone has any ideas of how to get them back together without the obvious drag and repurcutions of homocide do let me know!!

    sativa plumeon April 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is definatley about James Michael Curley. One of the biggest scumbag politicians to ever grace boston. He was a notoriusly corrupt state rep(1911-1914,1943-1947), governer(1935-1937) and mayor(1914-1918, 1922-1926, 1930-1934, and 1945-1949) is boston. This dude has two statues of himself in fanuel hall like right next to each other.

    chasingthesunon June 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hah, this song came out when I was either a freshman or sophomore in high school and I always thought it was about Bill Clinton. Curley huh, interesting....

    Backlash112on May 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i rmember i musta been in like 7-th 8th grade when this came out... i deffinatly used to dig it.. still got the CD.... GO SKA!

    g0alpost1on September 09, 2008   Link

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