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Boys on the Docks Lyrics

"Dedicated to the memory of John Kelly”

Chorus: Say hey johnny boy, the battle call United we stand, divided we fall Together we are what we can't be alone We came to this country you made it our home

This man so humble, this man so brave A legend to many, he fought to his grave Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror In a land of depression he gave hope for tomorrow

Say johnny boy this ones for you With the strength of many and the courage of few To what do we owe this man who's fight Was for the masses, he gave his life

(chorus)

A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time He wasn't a crook but he couldn't be conned John knew the difference between right and wrong Say johnny me boy, you live hear no longer Others forgotten, your memories stronger Lets drink to the causes in your life Your family, your friends, the union, your wife

(chorus)

And the boys on the docks needed john for sure When they came to this country he opened the door He said men I'll tell ya they don't like our kind Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind

(chorus)
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Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

""the line "united we stand, divided we fall" might be taken from the agnostic front song "gotta go"... who knows""

no

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

i love this song...my great-grandfather worked on the docks for a long time...the message is just so cool.

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

This song is GREAT. The message is great. I love the end, He said men I'll tell ya they don't like our kind Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind. It's a guy John Kelly, who opened the door for the Irish who fought for there freedom.

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

this song is actually written for ken casey's(dkm lead singer) grandfather john kelly.<p><b><i>Edited by oofus on January 23 2005, at 07:23PM</i></b></p>

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

the line "united we stand, divided we fall" might be taken from the agnostic front song "gotta go"... who knows

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_we_stand,_divided_we_fall

i wouldn't give either agnostic front or dropkick murphys too much credit for that phrase.

""United we stand, Divided we fall" is a phrase that has been used in mottos, from nations and states to songs."

"The first attributed use in modern times is to John Dickinson in his revolutionary war song The Liberty Song. In the song, first published in the Boston Gazette in July 1768, he wrote: “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!”"...

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Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

"Ken Casey's Grandfather, John Kelly, is the man referred to in the song. This song caught on like wildfire when it came out. Also a fan favorite."

I think this song is about how John Kelly helped paved the way for the Irish coming to America so that they and their families could live good lives and ease some of the hardships they were facing.

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

it was written about ken caseys(the BASS player) grandfather, its about how he helped all the irish kids comeing to this country and ended up in boston, he gave them jobs so they could survive

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

"the line "united we stand, divided we fall" might be taken from the agnostic front song "gotta go"... who knows"

The phrase "United We Stand Divided We Fall" has been around for at least 200 years. It is the state motto of Kentucky and can be traced as far back as the Revlutionary War when the USA was born.

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

It is also found printed on the Great Seal of Missouri which dates back to 1822.

Cover art for Boys on the Docks lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

i think this song is about when irish started coming to america people didnt like them because they were imigrants and they had to stick together