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


Lyrics submitted by Brendonsoh

The State of Massachusetts Lyrics as written by Timothy John Brennan Alexander Barr

Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA

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The State of Massachusetts song meanings
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30 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Yeah, so, I'm late. :) I came here to check a hard-to-hear lyric to make sure I was hearing it right and, as always, got caught up in the user posted discussions.

    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.

    virtuallypainlesson February 06, 2009   Link

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