In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
If you wanna have a protest in the USA
You wanna speak your mind in the American Way
If there are some rich white men with whom you disagree
And thought you have the right of assembly
There's a man that you should know
'Cause he will follow you wherever you go
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
And he'll protect our freedom in his own special way
By smashing in your face today
He'll spray tear gas in your eyes
He'll look into the camera and tell lies
And if you complain the deal is raw
He will declare martial law
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
He'll ban dancing, he'll ban art
He'll ban medics on go-carts
He'll ban meetings, he'll ban signs
He'll ban circles, he'll ban lines
He'll stand up upon his throne
And say "Go back to your free speech zone"
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
But someday he'll meet his end
He's already half-way round the bend
He'll take stock of what he's done
Stare at the notches on his gun
He'll look into the mirror and at his poor wife
And say, "Oh my God, I've been a scumbag my whole life"
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
You wanna speak your mind in the American Way
If there are some rich white men with whom you disagree
And thought you have the right of assembly
There's a man that you should know
'Cause he will follow you wherever you go
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
And he'll protect our freedom in his own special way
By smashing in your face today
He'll spray tear gas in your eyes
He'll look into the camera and tell lies
And if you complain the deal is raw
He will declare martial law
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
He'll ban dancing, he'll ban art
He'll ban medics on go-carts
He'll ban meetings, he'll ban signs
He'll ban circles, he'll ban lines
He'll stand up upon his throne
And say "Go back to your free speech zone"
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
But someday he'll meet his end
He's already half-way round the bend
He'll take stock of what he's done
Stare at the notches on his gun
He'll look into the mirror and at his poor wife
And say, "Oh my God, I've been a scumbag my whole life"
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
John Timoney, butcher for hire
He's a brutal thug and a dirty liar
He's a cop among cops, a man among men
And, oh my God, he's back again
Lyrics submitted by concreteblues
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