@ARTIST: mighty mighty bosstones                                
@ALBUM : don't know how to party            (1993)         
Mercury Records

   Joe Sirois: Drums 
   Dennis Brockenborough: Trombone 
   Nate Albert: Guitar 
   Tim Burton: Saxophone 
   Ben Carr: Bosstone 
   Dicky Barrett: Vocals 
   Kevin Lenear: Saxophone 
   Joe Gittleman: Bass 


 1.Our Only Weapon
 2.Last Dead Mouse
 3.Don't Know How to Party
 4.Someday I Suppose
 5.A Man Without
 6.Holy Smoke
 7.Illegal Left
 8. Tin Soldiers
 9.Almost Anything Goes
 10.Issachar
 11.What Was Was Over
 12.Seven Thirty Seven/Shoe Glue




Our Only Weapon

Read the papers, thing look grim.
Watch the news, the outlook' dim.
It's clear to see there is something wrong.
Could be that we don't change alot
but we should give it our best shot.
Our only weapon is a song.
Maybe we're being to naive
but this is something we believe.
What's beyond belief is just how much is wrong.
Nothing is gained when people fight,
maybe our heads aren't screwed on tight.
Our only weapon is a song.
We're not building bombs or storing ammunition.
We're just playing songs hoping people will listen.
Others try hate but hate won't move anything.
We're trying love and unity too.
We're not packing pistols,
we're not waging war.
Most of our missiles have only four chords.
It's not a great plan but we like the agenda.
The arsenal's music and the army's our friend.
Could be our idea isn't great,
maybe our heads aren't screwed on straight.
We may be wrong and maybe nothing's wrong.
And we might never win the war but we'll have fun and that's for sure.
Our only weapon is a song.


Last Dead Mouse

Step right up,
gather round,
greatest salesman in town.
Selling something 
seldom sold.
Step up, step up, step up behold
dead mice for sale,
they're going fast.
Like hell...
Last dead mouse don't be shy,
there's never been a better time to buy.
Last dead mouse but I'll get more. I'm a businessman and an entrepreneur.
Folks say I'm nuts, they can say what they please.
You've got to be crazy with prices like these.
No overhead so I can keep down the cost.
I make my own hours 'cause I'm my own boss.
I believe in my product,
I love what I sell.
Last dead mouse that's why I yell.
Step right up ladies and gents.
Last dead mouse costs fifty cents.
It's a steal at any price.
Going once, going once, going once, going twice
half a buck, last in stock.
Be the first one on your block.
No need to walk, no need to feed, satisfaction guaranteed. 
Last dead mouse but I'll get more.
I'm a bussinessman and an entrepreneur.
Folks say I'm nuts, they can say what they please.
You've got to be crazy with prices like these.
No overhead so I can keep down the cost.
I make my own hours 'cause I'm my own boss.
I believe in my product, I love what I sell.
Last dead mouse that's why I yell.
Nice and easy now,
nice and easy now,
nice and easy now
last dead mouse,
last dead mouse.


Don't Know How to Party

I've heard all the stories, the failure and glories I haven't had either.
Boast and toast I'm the best and I'm a mess.
I know I'm not neither.
Thought I was down as far as any man could go,
thought my highs were giant size.
I know now that's not so.
I know you heard, know you heard, know you heard, 
don't believe a word, not a word, one word.
It's been overblown, the truth should be known 'til now I couldn't see.
Put my cards on the table while I'm still able,
I guess I really don't know how to party.
It's blown out of whack,
the truth is what's lacking, 'til now I couldn't see.
The long and the short I'd like to report,
I guess I really don't know how to party.
Really don't by any shape or form.
Whether straight up in the sunshine or passed out in the storm
don't know how but now I know I don't
will it help me out? No, it probably won't.
Ten nine ain't no hero number one at bad behavior.
Five, four, three, two, what? not zero.
Don't go counting on a savior.
I was playing it safe when I'd fall on my face.
Entertainment was what I was after,
harmless fun, no damage done. I was out and about for the laughter.
Thought I was some-thing
really something no one was gonna touch.
Ace in the place, kingpin of sin I didn't know too much.
Don't believe everything you've heard,
don't believe a solitary word.
It's been overblown, the truth should be known, 'til now I couldn't see.
Put my cards on the table while I'm still able I guess I really don't know how to party. Really don't
by any shape and form.
Whether straight up in the sunshine or passed out in a storm,
don't know how but now I know I don't.
Will it help me out, no it probably won't.
I don't have a notion and I don't have a clue,
an iota or an inkling where to start or what to do.
The foggiest, the faintest, the slightest I ain't got.
Will it help me out?
Nah, probably not.


Someday I Suppose

There was a place
and the name of the place escapes me.
When I can't rememeber
it irritates me.
Could be I can't remember
could be I choose to not,
let's move the song along
and try to find the plot.
There was a girl and I don't know her name either.
She gave me love and I swore I'd never leave her.
If I did I'd come back someday and find her.
Maybe I will I should write down a reminder.
One day!
one day who knows.
Someday!
someday I suppose.
There was a verse that I was gonna write. I haven't yet
but there's still a chance I might. An open book
that I still want to close. I'll find the time
someday I suppose. A place and time,
I wanna be and spend a storyline
that's happy in the end. Plans are made with promises so certainly uncertain.
I can't wait to set things straight before they close the curtain.
One day!
one day who knows. 
Someday!
someday I suppose.
The more I sort things out
the more it gets distorted.
I sort of think I'm better off just leaving it unsorted.
The more I try to change it's course the more off course it goes.
Of course I'll reach my destination someday I suppose.
Sort it out,
get distorted
one day who knows.
Hide behind,
unreported,
someday I suppose. 


A Man Without

How did this could this come to this?
Helpless heartless loneliness,
a hand held out hope someone gives.
I'm a man without a place to live.
A man without a place to go
and it just might be my fault I know.
Won't hold you up or bag your eyes
but I'm a man please realize.
How did this could this come to this?
Helpless heartless loneliness.
Heartless, had a heart just yesterday.
Helpless didn't used to be this way.
Homeless, that's the worst part of it all.
Fuck this,
what I scream at every wall.
Are my screams being ignored.
I'm screaming can you help me Lord.
No one hears a man like me.
It's easier if they don't see.
So let all just pretend to feel and make believe that I'm not real.
Help is what I'm screaming for,
help me please don't just ignore.
It's come to this
helpless heartless loneliness.
Hand held out, hope someone gives.
I'm a man without a place to live,
a man without a place to go.
And it just might be my fault I know.
Won't hold you up or bag your eyes
but I'm a man please realize. 
How did this could this come to this,
did this could this come to this,
did this could this come to this,
did this could this come to this.


Holy Smoke

You made your bed, that's where you lie.
No pearly gates when you die.
We tried to teach, you didn't learn.
You're going down, you're gonna burn.
Fast at passing judgement and your quick to cast a stone.
Hypocrite taking shit, leave me alone.
Thump the book and twist the word
you're setting sinners straight.
Point your finger, wag your tongue then pass around the plate.
I've made my bed that's where I'll lie,
won't see the gates when I die.
And I've been told I'll never learn,
I'm going down I'm gonna...
Screaming demons all hell broke loose and other dark remarks.
You say that's Satan's waiting for me but I don't give a fuck.
If words and music tick you off then you're the one who's sick
but I think it fucking followers that really make you tick.
As far as I can tell I'm going to hell.
As far as I can see, you're coming with me. 
You made your bed that's where you'll lie.
No pearly gates when you die.
We tried to teach, you didn't learn.
You're going down, you're gonna burn.
Holy smoke! is this a joke?
I mean man you're on the move,
shut 'em up and shut 'em down
if you don't approve.
Cuss and curse and stuff your purse
and tell me where I'm goin'.
Holy cow, man, don't stop now, man,
your bank account is growin'.
You made you're bed that's where you'll lie.
No pearly gates when you die.
We tried to teach, you didn't learn.
You're going down, you're gonna burn
You made you're bed that's where you'll lie.
Thanks God I've got a place to sleep.
No pearly gates when you die, why should I worry now or cry.
You know I'm not concerned
you're going down, you're gonna burn.


Illegal Left

Illegal left on Sunday morning.
On the corner I was warning.
Waving widly, wildy warning. Don't take that turn on Sunday morning.
A motorcycle cop was waiting, he had to fill his ticket booth.
On his nerves now I was grating, 
illegal left that no one took.
Maybe I should mind my own
maybe it's not my concern,
but somewhere someone is suffering
and this is an illegal turn. 
Sunday morning not too far
someone's taking someone's car,
someone's taking someone out,
someone needs you know, no doubt.
He told me I should move along.
I said, "You've got the whole thing wrong."
I'll stay here I've got the time and you can deal with real crime.
He didn't like what I was saying no not at all no not one bit.
I didn't see the point in staying
it was fun though I admit.
Maybe I should mind my own,
maybe it's not my concern
but somewhere someone's suffering and this is an illegal turn.
Sunday morning, not too far
someone's taking someone's car, someone's taking someone out,
someone needs you no doubt. 


Tin Soldiers


He turned up to get a job
to show he wasn't scared
all wrapped up in that Hollywood (?) crap
he thought he'd be prepared.

Well at the age of seventeen,
he was forced to choose
now at the age of twenty-one...
he's in catch-.22......
GO!!!!!!

He turned up for just three years
it seemed a small amount
but what they didn't tell him was
the first two didn't count.

At the age of seventeen how was he to know?
That at the age of twenty-one
he'd still have more to go?

Tin soldier!
He signed away his name!
Tin soldier!
No chance of casual fame!
Tin soldier!
Well now he knows the truth!
Tin soldier!
He signed away his youth!

He turned up, to start out right (?)
to do right by his son
Well now he waits  (hates?)
and he counts the days
that mark time since day one.

At the age of seventeen
he did what he was told
now at the age of twenty-one
there's still one-third to go!  (?)

Tin soldier!
He signed away his name!
Tin soldier!
No chance of casual fame!
Tin soldier!
Well now he knows the truth!
Tin soldier!
He signed away his youth!

(Left! Right! Left right left! Left! Right! Left right left!)

At the age of seventeen
he fall in line to
now at the age of twenty-one
he still marches to
One-two-three-four
One-two-three-four
(One! Two! Three! Four!)
ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR!

TIN SOLDIER!
He signed away his name!
TIN SOLDIER!
No chance of casual fame!
TIN SOLDIER!
Well now he knows the truth!
TIN SOLDIER!
He signed away his youth!
TIN SOLDIER!
What is he fighting for?
TIN SOLDIER!
To win a fucking war?
TIN SOLDIER!
(((Completely indecipherable lyric)
TIN SOLDIER!
Arrgh yeah!!!!  (?)

Signed away his name...

Signed away his name...


Almost Anything Goes

It's 4:30 in the morn'
I'm tattered, tired and torn.
Trying to keep up the pace,
this ain't my home, this ain't my place.
The candle keeps on burning at this point there's no returning.
The policy is clear, anything goes when you are here.
Almost anything goes
from the nightclubs to the shows.
Almost anything goes
from the haircuts to the clothes.
Almost anything goes
from your head down to your toes.
Almost anything goes,
does this place ever close?
I wanna wake up in a city
that likes to go to bed.
Where they know what time of day it is but I'm stuck here instead.
The rules are disregarded
so it's time we all got started
moving at this hyperspeed
this city seems to need.
Nice place to visit but I don't wanna die here.
I stay on my toes wherever I go by.
I was killing all my money,
spending brain cells just as fast.
So I'll grab a taxi cab, head somewhere I can crash.
Driver, port authority.
Home's my destination.
Don't wake me up till we're near
Park Street Station.
There's this electric lure that's sometimes so attractive
but I'd rather hang my hat on a hook that's not so active.
I was walking on the wild side, I was in that state of mind.
The neon lights were bright but I'll be leaving them behind.
Big city of dreams can be a nightmare.
A knife, a fork a bottle, a cork I'm outta here. 


Issachar

Where's the wizzler, where's the corn?
Get jacuzzi on the horn, where's the wizzler...
Whatever happened to the mob?
He had to quit and get a job.
Road manager, security,
hangin' shirts and makin' tea.
Where's the wizzler, where's the corn?
Near the elevator, is there porn?
What a a man gotta deal wit!
My head's not orange, cut the shit!
Jack, Jack ca mi sey Jack Flanagan.
Mi a go tell a likkie storie bout mi good bredren
wa go by de name of Jack Flanagan.
It was a long time ago down a C.B.G.B.
Mi look pon mi bredren name Docta Dready.
Mi sey Docta D. who booked dis opening band.
Mon in a 3 piece suit wit guitar ina im hand, ca mi sey Jack Flanagan.
On the road and on the phone, 
roll up the window roll a bone.
Rollin' a buck in a forty zone.
Now settle up and head for home.
He's Issachar now hear him roar.
When he's lost his temper find the door.
It's almost always good to see him,
he's one damn fine human being.
Jack Flanagen.
Mi bredren Bosstones dem naw slip dem naw miss
Flanagen im was di Mob guitarist
nowadays he manage Reggae artist
so when you wan get pin Micky Dread guest list
Jack Flanagen him naw resist
Jack Flanagen, Jack Flanagen.
Got us 'cross the border,
helpin' hand when it began.
Kept our shit in order my man Jack Flanagen.
In his town he'll hook you up, he'll show you 'round, he'll watch your back.
When we head down we look him up and hang around with Irish Jack.
Much, much, much respect,
in this world it's hard to find.
A stand up guy who'll stand behind
you if you're ever in a bind.
My man Jack he comes to mind. 


What Was Was Over

Do I really wanna step in here?
I feel like my father at the horse track
when he's down to his last sawbuck.
Do I really wanna step in here,
I'm not as sure as I appear.
Tell me should we make this move
and if it seems pathetic, pardon me
I'm not as sure as I appear.
Thought it over
thought I'd walk over
and over coffee we could chat.
But then,
then I thought again 'cause what was was over
and now I know that.
Thought I'd call, we could talk it over.
I knew that wouldn't work out somehow
what was was over and I should just get over
and that is where I'm at right now.
I'm really glad that you are here.
What could be could beat what was.
We are is at any rate,
I'm really glad that you are here.
Thought it over, thought I'd walk over
and over coffee we could chat.
But then,
then I though again
'cause what was was over now I know that. 
Thought I'd call we could talk it over.
I knew that wouldn't work somehow
what was was over and I should just get over
and that is where I'm at right now. 
And we are is because
what was is now was.
Pray for rain, it never does
and after all that we've done been through is is gonna have to do.
And we are is because
what was is now was.
Pray for rain, it never does.
And after all we've been through is
is gonna have to do.


Seven Thirty Seven/Shoe Glue

Down the street, around the corner, over the bridge, that dirty water,
college campus, mighty minds
a reactor right behind.
Passed the candy factory, Salvation Army, fire station
through the square, I hate that place. Up the stairs
next the doors, they never work. I never let that bother me.
I hope some worker's not disgruntled. I hope there's something there for me.
An old man reads the paper loudly everyday now for a year.
Stamp machines and wanted posters here again, again I'm here.
737 almost everyday...
Nice to know that someone hears us.
It's good to know somebody's there.
Takin the time to say hello. Taking the time to show you care.
Write again and thanks again
from the bottom of my heart. See you soon and till then
737 is a real big part.
737 almost everyday...
Shoe glue
what can I do? A man's not well dressed if his shoes are a mess. Rock and Roll
I've got a hole
right in my sole.
Let's rock!
It's fucking my walk
and soaking my sock.
Who knew?
It's not stopping my step or stepping my stop.
We've got it up and we won't let it drop.
Beer here,
don't wanna see clear.
I see a point in wrecking the joint.
We're here to quench our thirst a bit
but we won't get the worst of it.
Turn it up more than a notch.
Like a punch to the face or a kick to the crotch.
All night never ending benefiting from a bender.
If nothing's worrying you that's the key
'cause nothing's worrying me...
and nothing's worrying me.


=============================================================================


Time wasted by : JWLKQLA@oak.grove.iup.edu 
and  Brendan McGinley who figured out Tin Soldiers