The band has always sought to play a variety of music, both songs and instrumentals and with a large variety of guest musicians and sometimes some unusual instruments.
The current lineup features percussionist Marc Anderson, Todd Menton on vocals, guitar, mandolin and whistle, Dean Magraw on guitar, Drew Miller bassist and dulcimer player and David Stenshoel on fiddle and saxophone.
Boiled in Lead has been referenced by Mercedes Lackey in her Diane Tregarde novel, Children of the Night published in 1990 and by Emma Bull in her 1989 novel, War for the Oaks.
Back In Town
Boiled in Lead Lyrics
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Do I look too much better than what you had planned?
I been back since late last fall.
Tell me who you gonna call?
Mister Decruz, you're lookin' well [error on CD lyrics]
Mind if I sit here, just for a spell?
Sorry I couldn't be gone for good
Like you thought I would.
When you put him on the ship.
You didn't think he'd give
Your hired hand the slip.
Keep your mind on your business, don't look around.
Aren't you glad that I'm back in town?
Mister Decruz, how do you feel?
Why don't you just sit down so we can deal?
I gave you every chance to choose
Mister Decruz.
The song "Back In Town" by Boiled in Lead is a tale of defiance against authority and a reminder of the unforeseen consequences which can result from underestimating or subjugating others. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has returned to town, much to the surprise and possibly chagrin of a person referred to as "Mister Decruz." The returning person seemingly had a previous run-in with Mister Decruz, who perhaps had considered them a nuisance and wished them gone for good. The singer confesses to Mister Decruz that they couldn't stay away and sarcastically asks if they look too good for him to handle. The singer then goes on to mockingly inquire if Mister Decruz's hired hand is still around, insinuating that they outsmarted Mister Decruz by escaping from his control.
The lyrics suggest that Mister Decruz might be shocked by the singer's return and unsure of how to proceed. The singer further challenges Mister Decruz by demanding to know how he feels and urging him to sit down so they can "deal." It's unclear what they mean by "deal," but the insinuation is that the singer plans to get what they want or settle some scores they feel are unsettled.
The song's message is perhaps about not allowing oneself to be trampled on or oppressed and that people have the power to fight back. It's a reminder that even the underdogs have a chance to defy expectations and come out on top despite the odds being against them. Ultimately, the song is a call to stand up to authority and not let others dictate one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mister Decruz won't you shake my hand?
The singer is asking Mr. Decruz for a handshake as a polite greeting.
Do I look too much better than what you had planned?
The singer is asking Mr. Decruz if they appear to be better than expected.
I been back since late last fall.
The singer is stating that they have been back in town since the last fall season.
Tell me who you gonna call?
The artist is asking Mr. Decruz who he will call for help or assistance.
Mister Decruz, you're lookin' well [error on CD lyrics]
The artist is remarking that Mr. Decruz looks good and is possibly correcting an error in the CD's lyrics.
Mind if I sit here, just for a spell?
The singer is politely asking Mr. Decruz if they can sit for a short while.
Sorry I couldn't be gone for good
The singer is sarcastically apologizing for not being able to leave town permanently.
Like you thought I would.
The artist is making a statement about how Mr. Decruz believed they would leave for good.
You knew the drunk was loaded
The artist is accusing Mr. Decruz of knowing that a drunk person was aboard a ship.
When you put him on the ship.
The artist is clarifying that Mr. Decruz put the drunk person on the ship.
You didn't think he'd give
The singer is calling out Mr. Decruz for not expecting the drunk person to escape.
Your hired hand the slip.
The artist is specifying that the drunk person escaped Mr. Decruz's hired hand.
Keep your mind on your business, don't look around.
The singer is warning Mr. Decruz to focus on his own affairs and not get distracted by their presence.
Aren't you glad that I'm back in town?
The singer is asking Mr. Decruz if they are happy to see them back in town.
Mister Decruz, how do you feel?
The singer is inquiring about Mr. Decruz's emotions or state of mind.
Why don't you just sit down so we can deal?
The artist is proposing that Mr. Decruz sit so they can discuss something important.
I gave you every chance to choose
The artist is claiming that they offered a choice to Mr. Decruz multiple times in the past.
Mister Decruz.
The singer is addressing Mr. Decruz by name.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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