Born in 1900, not enough shoes to go around
Warsaw for ellis island, massachusetts bound
Just a horn and a suitcase, not a hair on his face
They told him when he landed that he'd have to find a trade

So he built a funeral home and bought a shiny black hearse
With his brother at his side, every day they'd get to work
Then wash their hands and write music, playing deep into the night
Take their band out on the road and finally feel alive

Load up the gear, strap on the bass
Keep a cigarette lit, burning right at the tip, anything to warm your face
Let it burn on down so the windshield doesn't freeze
So you don't forget to breathe

Driving home from shows on cold new england nights
Knew gruesome work was waiting when home greeted with a light
Because when there's a light on, there's a cold one
A loved one, an old one, a young one, there's always someone

There's always curfew at the bars
A time to lay down that guitar
And every show's gotta end
Every night, every life
There's always last call

Can't always spare time to rehearse
Sometimes all you get is time for one verse
Rehearse if you can, keep an eye on the time
Remember what's coming at the end of the line
Soak in the cold, breathe in the air
Slam a stiff one back 'cause there's one curfew we all share

Load up the gear, strap on the bass
Keep a cigarette lit, burning right at the tip, anything to warm your face
Let it burn on down so the windshield doesn't freeze
So you don't forget to

Load up the gear, strap on the bass
(Born in 1900, massachusetts bound)
Keep a cigarette lit, burning right at the tip, anything to warm your face
Let it burn on down so the windshield doesn't freeze
So your eyes don't start to close
So you don't forget to be