Mr. Larkin

State Radio



I work in the kitchen
At an old folk's home
I do my best, but I too am gettin' old
I do the dishes but lately I been droppin plates
See as I get older, my hands are startin to shake

So Mr. Larkin
See I got to hold this job
Did you misspeak when you told me
She's all but gone
So Mr. Larkin
Dock me my one week's pay
But don't ask me to leave
We can't afford that today

Ten years ago, my wife took sick
So I brought her here, my job I quit
Started working for the home
So I could be by her everyday
We couldn't afford the cost in any other way

So Mr. Larkin
See I know she know who I am
Everynow and then, she'll squeeze my hand
It's what I live for and it's why she don't die
So Mr. Larkin won't you
Won't you give me this try

I walk to work on Route 27
I see the same cars everyday
And through all this New England weather
You know never once have I been late

So Mr. Larkin
See I know she know who I am
Everynow and then, she'll squeeze my hand
It's what I live for and it's why she don't die
So Mr. Larkin won't you
Won't you give me this try

I see the arguement you are making
And I understand you got to do your job
And believe me I know she's turning angel
But you see this woman is all I got

So Mr. Larkin
See I know she know who I am
Everynow and then, she'll squeeze my hand
It's what I live for and it's why she don't die
So Mr. Larkin won't you
Won't you give me this try



Lyrics submitted by AJGullo23

Mr. Larkin song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentThis song is really sad. Its about a guy whos wife is sick, so he sends her to an old folks home.He cant pay for it, so he takes up work at the home to get some money. Now the boss, Mr. Larkin is going to fire him for dropping plates. This song is his plea to stay with his wife at the home.
    Dispatch33on May 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is a beautiful song.. adresses issues of social security in america. I love this cd and this band is gonna be huge..protest music is back
    NLattanzion March 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song really has alot of meaning; State Radio Is really a great Band
    Mountainman112358on February 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti hate to say it but i dont think state radio will ever be big, mostly because i dont think they want to get big, that was part of why chad left dispatch...however i do love their music and i like that they keep it small because it makes their concerts so much better
    anyways the song is amazing, im a conservative bastard and this music has opened my eyes to many ills of society
    TheStranger5250on May 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSo I understand that its about a guy whos wife is sick, he works at the nursing home to help cover the cost and everything, But this is kind of a stretch... Is his wife in a coma? When it says:

    Every now and then, she'll squeeze my hand
    It's what I live for and it's why she don't die,

    Im thinking she possibly faintly remembers him or something, and thats why its such a big deal. Or she could have alzhiemers.

    Nonetheless, this is such a great song. I never really payed attention to the lyrics at first, but now that I do, its a pretty sad song.
    weeeehawon September 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti think weeeehaw is right about the alzheimers part, i don't think she's in a coma though. this song reminds me a lot of the book/movie the notebook, its an amazing song. State Radio is one of my favorite bands/artists, in competition with Dispatch, Braddigan and Pete Francis. its hard for me to listen to anything else now haha
    GordonAon September 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think this is a very powerful song about love and about the ills of elderly care in America. I just started listening to State Radio and I will continue to do so.
    meatskins8on January 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe song shows a compasionate person's point of view for his sick wife and how he quit the only thing that could keep the two of them financially afloat to see her and nurture her every day. Even during circumstances like this one the government and/or insurance agaencies have no heart at all. Sad song but a damn good one. Almost burst into tears when i heard it the first time.
    Pope410on March 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentabsolutely nothing to do with philip larkin i take it
    wanniatoron May 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song is amazing, one of the best on the album
    lineandsinker62on February 09, 2010   Link

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