[Originally by The Business]

Why'd you give him 18 years
Leave a family drowning in tears
Baby boy baby girl
Now their lives a living hell

Some say it shouldn't be done
But life on the dole ain't no fun
Shouldn't have been done
You're an informer

You didn't have to name him to the law
Just trying to stop from being poor
Hopes the kids will pull through
Without a dad coz of you

Some say it shouldn't be done
But life on the dole ain't no fun
Shouldn't have been done
You're an informer

Overall Meaning

The Dropkick Murphys' song Informer, originally by The Business, is a powerful commentary on the consequences of snitching. The lyrics describe the devastating impact of informing on a friend or loved one, particularly in cases where the informant has provided information that results in a lengthy prison sentence. The lines "Why'd you give him 18 years, Leave a family drowning in tears, Baby boy, baby girl, Now their lives a living hell" paint a vivid picture of the destruction wrought by the actions of the informant. The fallout from the betrayal is compounded by the fact that the perpetrator was motivated by financial desperation or a desire to avoid a similarly grim fate, as evidenced by the lines "You didn't have to name him to the law, Just trying to stop from being poor."

These lyrics are further underscored by the chorus, which repeats the refrain "Some say it shouldn't be done, But life on the dole ain't no fun, Shouldn't have been done, You're an informer." Here, the band highlights the moral ambiguity and social stigma of snitching, suggesting that while some may view it as a necessary evil, ultimately it is a cowardly and dishonorable act with far-reaching consequences. By addressing these themes in a punk rock context, the Dropkick Murphys are making a statement about the importance of loyalty and integrity in a world where these values are often marginalized.

Line by Line Meaning

Why'd you give him 18 years
Why did you report him to the authorities and lead to an 18-year prison sentence?

Leave a family drowning in tears
Your actions have caused immense emotional pain and suffering to his family.

Baby boy baby girl
The children left behind are innocent and have been deeply impacted by their father's imprisonment.

Now their lives a living hell
The family's lives have been turned upside down and they are struggling to cope with the situation.

Some say it shouldn't be done
There are those who feel that informing on others is morally wrong and should not be done.

But life on the dole ain't no fun
Yet, for many, living off government benefits is an unpleasant and unfulfilling way to live.

Shouldn't have been done
The decision to inform on someone and potentially destroy their life is not one that should be taken lightly or without severe consequences.

You're an informer
By reporting this person to the authorities, you have branded yourself as an informant and earned the disdain of those who value loyalty and justice.

You didn't have to name him to the law
You could have chosen not to involve the authorities and instead find a different way to resolve your issues.

Just trying to stop from being poor
It's possible that you informed on this person out of desperation in order to improve your own financial situation.

Hopes the kids will pull through
Despite the challenging circumstances, there is still hope that the children will be able to overcome this difficult time.

Without a dad coz of you
However, their father's absence will always be felt and you are partly responsible for that loss.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Michael Fitzsimons, Stephen Whale, Steve Kent

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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