Expiration Day
Widespread Panic Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a machinist at the Springfield Armory
Just slightly ahead of my time
But I don't make much money
So I sell eggs and chickens on the side

I'm good at what I do
And I take great pride
But I don't make much money
So I sell eggs and chickens on the side

And my wife does love me
But she can't realize
Why I won't go back down south
And leave the armory behind

But I love my job
I'll shave metal until I die
And until I do, I'll take on
Any extra thing it takes to provide

And I know it'll kill me
Breathing all those fumes
But I'd sooner sniff solution
Than a baker's dozen hothouse blooms

And my wife does love me
But she can't realize
Why I won't go back down south
And leave the armory behind

But I feel it is important
What I do upon my lathe
I pledge to do the detail work
Until my expiration day

Until my expiration day




Until my expiration day
Until my expiration day

Overall Meaning

The song "Expiration Day" by Widespread Panic tells the story of a machinist who works at the Springfield Armory, a national historic site in Massachusetts known for manufacturing weapons for the United States military. The singer takes pride in his work and skills, but laments the fact that he doesn't make much money from his job. To make ends meet, he sells eggs and chickens on the side. His wife loves him, but cannot understand why he won't leave his job and move back down south. The machinist, however, loves his job and is committed to it until his last breath. He knows that the fumes and conditions in the factory may eventually kill him, but he is willing to endure them rather than give up his work.


The song highlights the struggles of working-class Americans who often have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. It also conveys the pride and dedication that many people have for their work and their willingness to sacrifice for it. At the same time, the machinist's loyalty to his job raises questions about the value and purpose of his work, particularly in the context of manufacturing weapons.


Overall, "Expiration Day" is a poignant and reflective ballad that speaks to the human experience of work, pride, love, and sacrifice.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a machinist at the Springfield Armory
I work as a machinist at Springfield Armory


Just slightly ahead of my time
I have advanced skills but am not recognized for them


But I don't make much money
Despite my skills, I am not well paid


So I sell eggs and chickens on the side
To supplement my income, I sell eggs and chickens


And my wife does love me
My wife loves me deeply


But she can't realize
She doesn't understand


Why I won't go back down south
She wonders why I won't leave Springfield


And leave the armory behind
And give up my job


But I love my job
I have a deep passion for my work


I'll shave metal until I die
I'll continue working as a machinist my entire life


And until I do, I'll take on
In addition to my job, I'll do whatever it takes to make ends meet


Any extra thing it takes to provide
I'll take on any side gig to support my family


And I know it'll kill me
I am aware that my job is hazardous


Breathing all those fumes
Working with metal creates harmful fumes


But I'd sooner sniff solution
I'd rather smell machine oil than flowers


Than a baker's dozen hothouse blooms
I don't care for the scent of flowers


But I feel it is important
I believe my job is important


What I do upon my lathe
The craftsmanship of what I do with my machine is crucial


I pledge to do the detail work
I commit to making each piece with precision and care


Until my expiration day
I will continue working until I die


Until my expiration day
I am committed to working until the end of my life


Until my expiration day
I will never stop doing what I love




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESNUTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Brandon Foshee

Thanks again my good friends!

Future Me

First Time hearing this. Original?
So nice

John Thornton

This is a Vic Chesnutt tune. It was recorded with Widespread Panic on the Brute Album. It was an album that Panic was the band for Vic and his tunes

Future Me

@John Thornton Thanks. Their covers are basically everything I listen to!!! Except Vic Chestnut, it seems

Lukefish

❤️VIC❤️Mikey❤️Todd❤️

iitzPug

And my wife, she does love me!

Treavor Williams

What year is this? I’m looking for 2009 when they were there with the Allman Brothers Band on the same bill.

t

everything should be on panicstream

edit: unless you mean video

David Jacuk

I sell eggs and chickens on the side !

More Versions