"The State of Massachusetts" as written by and Orrell Brennan....
She had excuses and she just used them
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
I suppose you've a victim
I suspect you may have lied
If you've lost all ambition won't you give this thing a try
If you can't and you fail won't be the only loser
These kid don't stand a chance with you in their future
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
The poison stole your babies
The tenants took your rides
You can have the children, or the day
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
I suppose you've a victim
I suspect you may have lied
If you've lost all ambition won't you give this thing a try
If you can't and you fail won't be the only loser
These kid don't stand a chance with you in their future
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
The poison stole your babies
The tenants took your rides
You can have the children, or the day
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
Lyrics submitted by Brendonsoh
"The State of Massachusetts" as written by Timothy John Brennan Alexander Barr
Lyrics © Memory Lane Music Group (Domestic)
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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p.s i wanna make it clear i do not link child abuse and a bad government to massachusets"
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I do. that's first thing I think of when it comes to MA. Also, Minnesota is known for witches, and Idaho for streaking. Texas uses potatoes for currency and Delaware gives out Peyote like it was chewing gum/ It's all true
Bearealman, I believe I can clear up some of your questions, if you're still on this site, or haven't figured it out by now.
The whole song is written about a manipulative mother who seems to care more about herself than her children. She tries to make excuses for her poor parenting skills (blaming it on the father, her own history of abuse, etc.), but it all boils down to her wanting to have her fun and not give up the party life for her children.
The lines, "I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past," in my opinion are from the eyes of the State, so to speak. They don't know for sure these kids won't come out all screwed up if they stay with her, and they don't care about what past events she's throwing out there as her excuses for treating her kids so badly. Instead, the only safe bet they see is to...
"Send them both to DSS,
Now you have had your chance."
When the lyrics go on to say, "The poison stole your babies, the judges took your rights," DKM's are saying, the drugs or alcohol that you put above your children are the real reason your children are gone, all the judges did was take your rights away to see them because you were being an asshat (okay that was my personal opinion on this type of parent). It then goes on to say, "You can have your children, OR the night," which is to say, you can either be a good mother and keep your kids, or you can continue to be an asshat and lose them to DSS.
Anyway, that's my spin on the lines that confused you.
"you can have your children OR the night"
as in the mother has to choose between night life and having kids?
i also thought it sounded like FOR the night but that doesnt make sence.. does it?
By the way, for all of you out-of-staters, DSS is the Department of Social Services. They take care of troubled kids, orphans, kids of divorced parents, etc.
seems like a way of saying if you don't stop being a piece of shit to your children then we'll take them away from you, all in all... i just live in new jersey but i love some dropkick murphys... who knows
This is a great, after living in MASS for years, I know how WT famlies can be like everywhere. These guys (DMs) are great, I wold love t o see them live.
As for the OR or the FOR. I think both meanings make sense, as described above. I have watched the video a couple times now and they say that line 3 times. And I really think the first 2 they said OR and the 3rd they said FOR, so maybe the writer wanted both....
This is a brand new song , but I think it will get lots of play in Boston.
Oh BTW DSS is in most states, so I think the people know what it means.
This song really has a tough Boston feel to it. Like Shippin Off, it is a way for outsiders of Boston to get the energy of Southie, Fenway and St Patties day in Boston. Its hard to explain to my family from Philly, but that why I stay in the Boston area. At least one of the reasons.
So They're definitely correct I would think