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 me 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.

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.

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 no longer,
Others forgotten, your memory's stronger.
Lets drink to the causes in your life:
Your family, your friends, the union, your wife.

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.

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.

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

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.


Lyrics submitted by oofus

Boys on the Docks Lyrics as written by Matthew Edward Kelly Ken Casey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Boys on the Docks song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    ""the line "united we stand, divided we fall" might be taken from the agnostic front song "gotta go"... who knows"" no
    dc_dudeon March 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i love this song...my great-grandfather worked on the docks for a long time...the message is just so cool.
    mikes_konstantineon May 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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.
    myownprison333on June 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is actually written for ken casey's(dkm lead singer) grandfather john kelly.

    Edited by oofus on January 23 2005, at 07:23PM

    mennacinmonkon March 31, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    the line "united we stand, divided we fall" might be taken from the agnostic front song "gotta go"... who knows
    realitymarkon April 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "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.
    2yt4uon October 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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
    uglypunkinDEon January 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "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.
    JeffKaos71on March 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It is also found printed on the Great Seal of Missouri which dates back to 1822.
    JeffKaos71on March 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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
    jokerinthepack59on July 06, 2006   Link

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