Bastards on Parade

But I'm just a fool A fool driven to dust And the world ain't gonna change for me

kinda explains it i think

It's about the elderly men that are honored to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade every year, but are total assholes in real life.

I read the meaning on the DKM site, but the song never seemed like that to me. The lyrics sound like one of those men, but they sound like the man (who was a jerk) is now sorry for that lifestyle, and is looking for a way to make things right.

correct lyrics

I've lost all the time that I have in this world I've spent it unwisely, unwisely you see And I can't get it back and I can't move forward I'm broken and I'm empty, it's over for me If I could undo all the wrongs that I've caused Fall to my knees, pray for swiftness and just For I'm just a fool, a fool driven to dust And the world ain't gonna change for me

So give me one more chance to prove these problems and frustrations Aren't just manifest in memories we're destined to repeat A second chance to prove I know right from wrong I swear I'll do things different but can't promise to be strong

(chorus) So come all you losers, you bastards and cheats Vagrants and barflies down on the street Follow this path to salvation, vindication awaits We're marching on East Broadway tonight

If you could look into this old face and try to see the young man I swear I once was pretty, not the monster you now see But I squandered all my chances, lost my faith and took for granted This life and precious one chance, the whirlwind I'll wreak

If I could undo all the wrongs that I've caused Fall to my knees, pray for swiftness and just For I'm just a fool, a fool driven to dust And the world ain't gonna change for me

(chorus) So come all you losers, you bastards and cheats Vagrants and barflies down on the street Follow this path to salvation, vindication awaits We're marching on East Broadway tonight

This is my favourite Dropkick Murphys song. It's so full of emotion and desperation, kinda makes you feel sorry for the guy until the chorus comes along! He sort of seems to regret everything he may have done, but in a way he's given into the reality of it - that he'll never be able to change and forget the past.

Also, the mandolin solo is one of the most mind-blowing things I've ever heard. At 2:46 into the song. The drum rolls... the mandolin...oooooh my god. Incredible.

what she (green eyes88) said sums it up in one. great song

This song reminds me of the Smile Empty Soul song "Every Sunday" very similar theme

This song is about a middle aged drunk. Slowly, he's realized that he's hurt everyone that cares about him, and been a selfish, drunk prick his whole life. It's too late for him though. He sees these things, but he lacks the willpower to change, so he just sits at the bar in southie, drinking with the other guys who are just like him.

Casey grew up surrounded by these guys, and he's seen his friends turn into them over the decades.