I'm not one to look behind I know that times must change
But over there in Barrytown they do things very strange
And though you're not my enemy
I like things like they used to be
And though you'd like some company
I'm standing by myself
Go play with someone else
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard
I just read the Daily News and swear by every word
And don't think that I'm out of line
For speaking out for what is mine
I'd like to see you do just fine
But look at what you wear
And the way you cut your hair

I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

In the beginning we recall that the word was hurled
Barrytown people got to be from another world

Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
And don't you scream or make a shout
It's nothing you can do about
It was there where you came out
It's a special lack of grace
I can see it in your face

I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown


Lyrics submitted by AbFab, edited by snowdm2000

Barrytown Lyrics as written by Walter Carl Becker Donald Jay Fagen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network

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BarryTown song meanings
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  • +7
    General Comment

    My father joined the Unification Church at a workshop at the Unification Theology Seminary in Barrytown. Many members lived there and worked there and witnessed and recruited youth at Bard College, where Don Fagen and Walter Becker went to college.

    Unificationists were known to be clean cut, wear suits and frequently carried clip boards and pamphlets. Moonies, as they are better known, were infamous and remain infamous and were frequently in the news in the 70s.

    This is likely about the Moonies in Barrytown.

    sungison May 03, 2009   Link

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