It was winter of 2008 and the winds swept across the midwestern fields. St… Read Full Bio ↴It was winter of 2008 and the winds swept across the midwestern fields. Stripped of their possessions and scrounging to survive, five young men (mere boys in some eyes) howled in the night as they formed a rebellious band of wild outcasts. This tight-knit gang called themselves The Beggars and are still roaming the countryside looking for a morsel of food or perhaps some change...anything will do...

The State of Massachusetts
The Beggars Lyrics

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She had excuses and she just used them
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
They′ve been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy′s off his head

Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don′t care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
I suppose you′ve a victim
I suspect you may have lied
If you've lost all ambition won′t you give this thing a try
If you can't and you fail won′t be the only loser
These kid don't stand a chance with you in their future
They′ve been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that′s what she said
I don′t predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
The poison stole your babies
The tenants took your rides
You can have the children, or the day
Billy was a bright one
Tommy′s off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don′t predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison stole your babies
The judges took your rights

You can have your children, or the night
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Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Beggars's song "The State of Massachusetts" tell the story of a woman who is facing difficult circumstances in her life. The song implies that the woman has been through a series of abusive and toxic relationships. Her husband is described as violent, malicious, and distant. As a result, her children have been taken away from her and now belong to the state of Massachusetts.

The song expresses a sense of frustration and judgment towards the woman, suggesting that she had opportunities to change her situation but failed to do so. The lyrics mention sending the children to the Department of Social Services (DSS), implying that the woman had a chance to take care of them but was unable or unwilling to do so. It also questions her honesty, stating that she may have lied or lacked ambition.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of empathy for the children who have been caught in the middle of this difficult situation. They highlight the consequences of the woman's actions or lack thereof and the potential negative impact on the children's future.

Line by Line Meaning

She had excuses and she just used them
Ella tenía excusas y simplemente las utilizaba

She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Ella fue víctima de abusos inimaginables

Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Su esposo era violento, malicioso y distante

Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
Ahora sus hijos pertenecen al estado de Massachusetts

They've been taken away
Han sido llevados lejos

Billy was a bright one
Billy era inteligente

Tommy's off his head
Tommy está fuera de sí

Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
La madre los amaba a ambos por igual, al menos eso es lo que decía

I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
No predigo el futuro, no me importa el pasado

Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
Envíalos a ambos a DSS, ahora tuviste tu oportunidad

The poison who stole your babies
El veneno que robó a tus bebés

The judges took your rights
Los jueces te quitaron tus derechos

You can have your children, or the night
Puedes tener a tus hijos, o la noche

I suppose you've a victim
Supongo que eres una víctima

I suspect you may have lied
Sospecho que tal vez hayas mentido

If you've lost all ambition won't you give this thing a try
Si has perdido toda ambición ¿no tratarás esto?

If you can't and you fail won't be the only loser
Si no puedes y fallas, no serás el único perdedor

These kids don't stand a chance with you in their future
Estos niños no tienen oportunidad contigo en su futuro

The poison stole your babies
El veneno robó a tus bebés

The tenants took your rides
Los inquilinos se llevaron tus paseos

You can have the children, or the day
Puedes tener a los niños, o el día

The poison stole your babies
El veneno robó a tus bebés

The judges took your rights
Los jueces te quitaron tus derechos

You can have your children, or the night
Puedes tener a tus hijos, o la noche

Billy was a bright one
Billy era inteligente

Tommy's off his head
Tommy está fuera de sí

Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
La madre los amaba a ambos por igual, al menos eso es lo que decía

I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
No predigo el futuro, no me importa el pasado

Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
Envíalos a ambos a DSS, ahora tuviste tu oportunidad

The poison stole your babies
El veneno robó a tus bebés

The judges took your rights
Los jueces te quitaron tus derechos

You can have your children, or the night
Puedes tener a tus hijos, o la noche

Writer(s): Marc Orrell, Mathew Kelly, Alexander Barr, Kenneth Casey, James Lynch, Timothy Brennan

Contributed by Jayce K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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