Black Friday Rule Lyrics
So I dream of a man whose hopes never end
To kiss with a girl who’s as lovely as you
I’d give you my heart, if you gave me the truth
I’d dig me a well where no man could destroy
I want to believe in a freedom that’s bold
But all I remember is the freedom of old
Flew all the way to California
This mess in my head is a mess getting out
Ya drink too much coffee, I drink too much stout
I’ll dance up a storm, sure life’s looking fine
But as darkness falls, I return to my bed
Don’t ask me more questions, don’t fuck with my head
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule
Oh mother of Jesus, I feel pretty ill
I want to go home where my feet both feel safe
But there ain’t no jobs in the old free state
I’m doing the best, Hell I’m doin’ all I can
So next time you see me, don’t ask for my name
For I am the King and sure long may I reign
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

I've seen a few mentions of the validity of the lines about losing a wife, and everybody seems to be confused, so here's what I know of the story:
The wife Dave is talking about is Laura King, his first wife, and the subject of their earlier song "Laura". Dave left Good Old Ireland and moved to New York when he was in his late. While in New York, Dave met, fell in love with, and married Laura. After several years of marriage, Laura died. (Dave has never really divulged much info about this period, including any specifics of her death.) Dave tried to go back to Ireland, so that his family and his old friends could help him through this time of freat pain, as all of his new friends and the city of New York itself were just a constant reminder of everything he had lost with Laura's death. Dave attempted to return to Ireland, fully intending to leave the U.S. entirely and live in Ireland fulltime. However, his visa was denied, due to the volatile, near-anarchic political situation in Ireland at the time, which Dave refers to as "the Black Friday Rule", comparing the political situation of the time to the chaotic conditions following the Black Friday Bombings of Dublin in 1974. Denied return to his homeland, Dave turned to drink, and finally fled New York, travelling to Los Angeles. It wasn't really until the early 90s, when Dave met Bridget and the guys and started playing at Molly Malone's that Dave really pulled his life out of the slump he had been in since Laura's death.
I actually think of this song as Dave's narration of his life to Bridget shortly after they began dating.

i love this song. its my favorite by Flogging Molly, who is my favorite band. I geuss that makes it my favorite song. anyways, this is my first comment. (congrats to me!!)

The guitar solo and the jig in this song are awesome. completely awesome! Damn, irish music rules!

I went to a Flogging Molly show at Brandeis university yesterday. Since this is my favorite song I held up a 'Black Friday Rule' sign with big, bold red letters everytime the lights were on the public. My patience paid off - one moment it seemed like the concert was done, technicians came on stage etc... but after a few minutes Dave came onstage with his acoustic guitar and said - "This is a song about leaving your country behind. This is for the guy that held up the Black Friday rule sign the whole show" - I cheered and smiled and enjoyed the song from the front row (2 dudes gave me hands and pulled me up front)... shouted the lyrics the whole song. 4 minutes into the song the band enters the stage and performs the last part with all instruments.
AWESOME

Kick ass song!

yes indeed it is

This song is great. No way can this song be beaten. Nothing else to say.

My boufriend told me to d/l this song And i'm glad he did. it rocks!

This song rocks! Flogging Molly is genious! Irish music is good. Punk music is good. Irish punk music is kick ass!!

You all can just look at my name and see why Flogging Molly is one of my favorite bands. They're so bloody great, I'm glad we're finally getting some good Irish music to become more mainstream.