The Boston Burglar
Johnny McEvoy Lyrics

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Iwas born andraised inBoston, aplace you all know well,
Broughtup byhonestparents, the truth to you I'll tell,
Broughtup byhonestparents, andraised most tenderly,
TillI became asporting lad at theage of twentythree,
My character was taken and I was sent to jail,
My friends they came and tried in vain to get me out on bail,
The jury found me guilty, and the clerk he wrote it down,
The judge he passed the sentence, I was bound for Charlestown.

They placed me on an east bound train on a cold December's day,
And every station we passed by you could hear the people saw,
There goes the Boston burguler, in cold chains he is bound,
For one crime or anothr he is bound for Charlestown.
All you who have your freedom, take warning if you can,
And dont go round the syreets at night, breaking laws of God or man,

For if you do you'll surly loose and find yourself like me,
Serving up full twenty years in a penatentury

Overall Meaning

The Boston Burglar, sung by Johnny McEvoy, is a song about a young man who strayed from the path of righteousness, fell into bad company, and ended up in prison for his criminal activities. The song begins with the singer's introduction of himself as a Boston-born and raised individual, who always had the fortune of having good and honest parents, who taught him the value of truthfulness. However, this young man went astray when he turned twenty-three and fell into the trap of gambling and other vices. Unfortunately, he was caught, found guilty and eventually sentenced to twenty years in Charlestown prison by the Judge.

The song portrays a powerful message to the listeners that they should never tread on the wrong paths of life and not to do anything that can make them end up in prison. The individual with his criminal past also advises others that if they are blessed enough to have their freedom, they should cherish it and not do anything that will lead to imprisonment. The lyrics represent repentance and a warning to anyone to avoid the kind of life that ends up leaving one as a hardened criminal in jail.

Line by Line Meaning

I was born and raised in Boston, a place you all know well,
I am a Bostonian, and I grew up there with honest parents.

Brought up by honest parents, the truth to you I'll tell,
My parents were truthful, and I will continue to be truthful.

Brought up by honest parents, and raised most tenderly,
My parents raised me well, with love and care.

Till I became a sporting lad at the age of twenty-three,
But as I grew up, I became more of a troublemaker, and got into sports.

My character was taken and I was sent to jail,
I got into trouble with the law, and I was sent to jail.

My friends they came and tried in vain to get me out on bail,
My friends tried to help me by getting me out on bail but they couldn't.

The jury found me guilty, and the clerk he wrote it down,
The jury declared me guilty, and the clerk recorded it.

The judge he passed the sentence, I was bound for Charlestown.
The judge gave me my sentence, and I was sent to serve my term in Charlestown jail.

They placed me on an east-bound train on a cold December's day,
I was taken to Charlestown prison by train, in the cold month of December.

And every station we passed by you could hear the people say,
As we passed each station, I could hear people commenting on my situation.

There goes the Boston Burglar, in cold chains he is bound,
People identified me as a notorious criminal, in chains, being taken to prison.

For one crime or another, he is bound for Charlestown.
I was being taken to Charlestown prison for my crimes committed.

All you who have your freedom, take warning if you can,
I urge all the free people out there to be careful, and not follow in my footsteps.

And don't go round the streets at night, breaking laws of God or man,
I advise that you do not break any laws of God or man, by roaming the streets at night.

For if you do you'll surely lose and find yourself like me,
If you do, you'll face dire consequences and end up like me.

Serving up full twenty years in a penitentiary.
Serving a full twenty years in prison is not an easy task.

Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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