Question the Answers

Joe Sirois: Drums
Dennis Brockenborough: Trombone
Nate Albert: Guitar
Tim Burton: Saxophone
Ben Carr: Bosstone
Dicky Barrett: Vocals
Kevin Lenear: Saxophone
Joe Gittleman: Bass

KINER WORDS
A SAD SILENCE
HELL OF A HAT
PICTURES TO PROVE IT
WE SHOULD TALK
A DOLLAR AND A DREAM
STAND OFF
365 DAYS
TOXIC TOAST
BRONZING THE GARBABE
DOGS AND CHAPLAINS
JUMP THROUGH THE HOOPS
PIRATE SHIP

KINDER WORDS
On time now for losing tempers,
Or filling up with rage or angst.
Flying off the handle could be detrimental,
Calmer hands are called for here.

A breath or two could be applied,
Count to ten and then decide.
A rash decision-crash collision,
Damage done beyond repair.

Kinder words here we could pick,
A kind approach might do the trick.
Hurt you, hurt me, well that needs to stop,
Kinder words here we could choose.
We've kind of got a lot to lose,
The temperature we need that to drop.

A wrong move now might spell disaster,
A selfish one might spell it faster.
Let's relax, review the facts,
For all involved that be best.
A world of difference might be made,
If our next move could be delayed.
Sort it out and talk about,
Just what it was that caused this mess.

Kinder words here we could pick,
A kind approach might do the trick.
Hurt you, hurt me, that's the worst thing we could do,
Kinder words here we could chose.
We've kind of got a lot to lose,
Watch what we say, don't walk away, let's see it through.

Kinder words here we could pick,
A kind approach might do the trick.
Hurt you, hurt me, well that needs to stop,
Kinder words here we could choose.
We've kind of got a lot to lose,
The temperature we need that to drop.

A SAD SILENCE
Two years and extra days, a block away he'd head to hang.
Same corner, neighborhood, his friends, the gang.
Two years and extra days, a bigger kid would black his eye.
No real reason, explanation, and everyday no one knew why.

The bigger kid was crazy, that made the gang afraid.
When he told the gang to shut their mouths the gang obeyed.
You've got to have a place to be, you need a place to hang around.
So no one spoke, no one moved, no one made a sound.

CHORUS
Both his eyes would twitch.
The left one was always black.
His lips they never moved.
They stayed still with each attack.
His ears were always ringing.
In his head he'd hear a hum.
And all the kids on the corner.
Knew what it was from.

Then one day it happened, he took his daily crack.
His eyes rolled up, like yesterday, he started falling back.
The kids that watch this everyday now watched him hit the ground.
And no one spoke, no one moved, no one made a sound.
And no one made a sound.

CHORUS

No one spoke, no one moved, no one made a sound.
A sad, silent situation, now he's not around.

HELL OF A HAT
That's a Hell of a hat that you're wearing.
It goes real well with the earring.
Five through the nose, bold and daring.
You've got to pardon me if I'm staring.

Man, I really dig your shoes.
Fat fade and fresh tattoos.
Bet the females can't refuse.
And if I'm staring please excuse.

Sharpest motherfucker in the joint.
The other motherfuckers stop and point.
The gear you wear seems complete.
Why you gotta pack the heat.
We question one accessory.
Don't think the piece is necessary.
We agree you're dressed to kill.
But wonder if you will.

Hell of a hat you're sporting Jack,
Diamond cuff links and a sweet tie tack.
The pocket watch must've set you back,
You're the man, man, you're the mack.

The pinstriped number, me oh my, that's rude.
And that's a Hell of an attitude.
You made the scene and set the mood.
I'm only starring 'cause I'm a nervous dude.

Sharpest motherfucker, we repeat.
The other motherfuckers can't compete.
The clothes you choose are stylish.
Why you gotta wear the gun.
We question one accessory.
Don't think the piece is necessary.
We agree you're dressed to kill.
But wonder if you will.

PICTURES TO PROVE IT
Well you insisted the day you walked away.
That we shared nothing, but I've got somethin’,
I'd still like to say.
You're not here to listen and we were never good at that,
Let's set the record straight, we shared something great,
Even though now nothing's where we're at.

Pictures to prove it, I've got the proof,
When you hit the bricks I hit the roof.
I hit the bottle, put this picture on the bar,
I'll always have these pictures, but I don't know where you are.

I've got pictures to prove it,
If you saw them, I'm sure,
You'd be forced to remember.
What we don't have anymore,
I've got a pile of pictures,
I've got a whole stack of proof,
I've got pictures to prove it, I've got, I've got.

Pictures to prove it, smudged with fingerprints and tears,
Cigarette ashes,
And our first few happy years.
They're old now, they're faded and the edges all are frayed,
I'll always have these pictures,
But I wish that you had stayed.

I've got pictures to prove it,
If you saw them, I'm sure,
You'd be forced to remember.
What we don't have anymore,
I've got a pile of pictures,
I've got a whole stack of proof,
I've got pictures to prove it and all I ever do is.

Stare at the pictures for hours on end.
They tell the truth to me.
While I'm sure you just pretend.
And you deny we ever happened and swear it never was that way.
Even you'll admit when I submit to you.
Exhibit A.

I've got pictures to prove it,
I'm not just blowing smoke,
If you don't believe me, believe them.
No this ain't no joke,
I've got a pile of pictures,
I've got a whole stack of proof,
Someone look at the pictures,
I've got, I've got...

WE SHOULD TALK
Don't touch that dial, don't click the clicker.
We love to watch, they love to bicker.
Don't turn the knob or change the channel.
Hey! Where the Hell did they get this panel?
Where are they from? Where have they been?
They air it out, we suck it in.
Up on stage all in a row,
At each other's throats all through the show.
The mood is tense, the tension's thicker.
We watch, they fight, just who here's sicker?

CHORUS
We're not so bad, I guess after all.
Their problems make ours seems so small.
We'd be much better off I bet,
If we'd turn off the TV set.

She broke down and he came clean.
We stay glued, glued to the screen.
Just how much more can we take?
Thank God, here comes a station break.

CHORUS

Don't think that we can take much more.
We've lost it now, man, that's for sure.
Lost another day, check out the clock.
Turn it off, pull the plug, shut it down, now, we should talk.

A DOLLAR AND A DREAM
I had a dollar I wanted to save.
Safe in my pocket, I'll try to hold fast.
Hey! It might be my last.

I know what I've got folded safe in its spot.
I earned a dollar, it's not here to share.
I've got a dollar and that's all I've got.

A million more is just a single grain.
A grain of sand or just one drop of rain.
A small amount might make the difference these days.
A dollar and a dream is all I could raise.

To all the questions I've ever asked myself.
Man, what a dream, it sure felt great.
Took to the streets 'cause I couldn't wait.
To freely give wisdom and share what I know.

I had a dream and that's all I had.
A million here lay down in pain every night.
A million there to stay alive and fight.
I'm sure my numbers underestimate.
A dollar and a dream, I swear it's not too late.

I had a dollar I wanted to save.
Keep in my pocket, I held fast.
A dollar bill that I would take to my grave.
Deep in my pocket like it was my last.

Look for the dollar, now it's not there.
Even the pants are a different pair.
I earned the dollar, I had to share.
I had a dollar and that's all I had.

A million more is just a star in the sky.
Tip of the iceberg but we've all got to try.
Our work's cut out and there's work to be done.
A dollar and a dream is step number, step number one.

STAND OFF
I couldn't be more confused,
But more than that I'm upset.
We once stood side by side,
We were young when we met.

We'd always stand together,
That's how we had it planned.
Now where do we stand?
I can't stand the pain,
I guess I don't understand.

I just don't understand this stand off.
There's a lot I don't understand.
We're apart and don't have to be.
What went wrong? I don't know off hand.

I only know this is killing me.
So I called your bluff,
Said I'd see you around.
You stood tough,
You stood your ground,
Now I'm standing by,
I'm trying to stand tall.
Standing alone,
Don't understand this at all.

I just don't understand this stand off.
There's a lot I don't understand.
We're apart, do we have to be?
What went wrong? I don't know off hand.

I only know this is killing me.
Now I'm standing by-watching myself.
Right beside myself-like it isn't me.
It's some other guy,
And time's standing still-and I'll stand here until.
I understand-or you come back,
I really hope you will.

Don't understand where we went wrong.
Don't understand how it fell apart.
Did I wait too long to write this song?
I always thought I was smart.

365 DAYS
It's gripping, I'm ripping,
I haven't just been sipping.
Stressing, no, messing,
Will I ever learn my lesson?

CHORUS
I'm always amazed by what can take place,
Within the space of 300-365 days.

Been sinning, I'm spinning,
In the beginning I was winning.
I'm clinging, still swinging,
If I could I would be singing.

I'm empty of answers,
Don't nobody search me.
The long neck's a twist off,
You don't need a church key.
I'm still full of questions,
But can't quite see clear.
Twist off another,
And bring on the next year.

CHORUS

Was drilled, it killed, now my guts are being spilled,
Wailed, impaled.
My last breath's been inhaled,
That's still in me,
I haven't failed.

CHORUS

I'm empty of answers,
Don't nobody search me.
The long neck's a twist off,
You don't need a church key.
I'm still full of questions,
But can't quite see clear.
Twist off another...
And bring on the next year.

TOXIC TOAST
Queensbury number eight,
Hell Hotel punk rock estate.
Way, way back in the day,
One hundred years it seems that way.
Just across from Wayne's Junk Store,
3 floors up then straight ahead.
If someone thought to lock the door,
Use the fire escape instead.

Someone's always up to something,
One thing's always understood.
If nothing happened in a minute,
Wait another, something would.
Avoid the landlord, spend the rent,
Raising Hell with reckless style.
And sure our time was poorly spent,
But toxic toast still makes me smile.

Looking back now-not sure how,
We made it through, not all of us but most.
Still haunts me-like it wants me,
I remember, I remember, I remember-toxic toast.

This stuff's 130 proof,
Glue threw the TV off the roof.
The whole damn place just wasn't stable,
Andrew trashed the coffee table.
Rico's here, the party's reeling,
Colam's been spray painting the ceiling.
Can't make a call and man it's gold,
Alcohol and stranglehold.

Toxic toast, Jake coined the phrase,
haven't thought about it for a while.
Mindless endless nights and days,
But toxic toast still makes me smile.

Looking back-not sure how,
We made it through, not all of us but most.
Still haunts me-like it wants me,
I remember, I remember, I remember-toxic toast.

BRONZING THE GARBAGE
You're off base,
Out of line and in my face.
Brace yourself-I'm coming through,
And before you know what's hit you.
You'll have heard my point of view.

Trash is trash,
Have I got your attention?
There's more that you should know,
There's more I've got to mention,
You've got to let it go.

I was a child, another time, another place.
Only a child would carry this so far,
You're still in my face.
I held it back, I was afraid.
Didn't want to blow your cover,
But I was on to your charade.

Trash is trash,
Have I got your attention?
There's more that you should know,
There's more I've got to mention,
You've got to let it go.

CHORUS
Bronzing the garbage,
There was a time I was impressed.
Through all the garbage,
It's still not you that I detest.
I hate the way,
You can't forget, I hate it so.
Bronze what you want,
But you've got to let it go.

Have I got through?
Have I got through to you?
Gave it a shot-finally got to state my case.
If you've heard nothing, please hear this,
Don't get in my face.

Trash is trash,
Ahhhh...trash is trash.

CHORUS

Have I got your attention?
There's more that you should know.
There's more I've got to mention.
You've got to let it go.
Hey I got your attention...

DOGS AND CHAPLAINS
Don't mind when it happens,
No problem when I am saying it,
But when I lose my mind, kick my behind,
'Cause I hate when my mind keeps replaying it.

I'm not bragging and I'm not proud,
I hang around with a drunken crowd.
We are happy, that I can say,
And until we're not, I kid you not, we're gonna stay that way.

My life was trying to settle down...
Johnny Vegas!
Drinkin' the other day,
I said I loved you, you turned away.
Maybe the drinking made me cry,
But I'm a happy, very happy, very happy guy.

Sometimes when I am playing,
I never watch what I am saying.
Sometimes I lose my head,
I lose my head and things get said I never should have said.

Sometimes I get housed,
I get housed, I get accused and shoot off my mouth.
Sometimes I kick it out and I don't know what I'm talkin' about,
You know, I've made mistakes, I've had my ups and downs.
My ins and outs, my share of bad breaks,
But when it's all been said and done.
I raise my beer and I swear God it's been fun...

JUMP THROUGHT THE HOOPS
Wake up and shake myself out of bed again.
Shaking the day down in my head again.
It's up and out, rise and shine, on the double.
No time to slack, attack and tackle the trouble.

Shake myself out of bed again,
No time to stop and assess, can't let it grind to a halt.
Can't stop and look at the mess and then find out it's my fault,
I can't stop for a single minute.
I know Hell, well, I'm living in it,
No time to stop at all, I've got to jump through the hoops.

My job, well it's a nine to five nightmare,
I'm serving whiskey, stale wit and beer.
Come on in, how've you been? Have I met you?
What'll it be now, what can I get you?

My job, well it's a nightmare,
And every day from nine to five I'm there.
No time to stop and assess, can't let it grind to a halt,
Can't stop and look at the mess and then find out it's my fault.
I can't stop for a single minute,
I know Hell, well, I'm living in it.
No time to stop at all, I've got to jump through the hoops.

Roll over, sit up, and beg.
Well, I'd much rather lie down and play dead.
Here comes another hoop.

Holidays have got to be the worst.
I've seen so many I've got it well rehearsed.
Joy to the world, hark the hey, let me hear it.
Deck the halls, trim the tree, that's the spirit.
Holidays are not for me, chop down the tree.
They've got to be the worst.

I'm old and set in my ways, no stopping now, it's a shame.
But in my much younger days I'd stop and I'd take the blame.
I'm alright if I don't know and can't see.
I'll live in Hell till the day that they plant me.
No time to stop at all, I've got to jump through the hoops.

Roll over, sit, up, and beg,
Well I'd much rather...lie down and play dead.
All over, so long my friend,
So long, all over, the end.

PIRATE SHIP (only found on LP)
A half hour out on the trail,
The pirate ship bailey had hardly set sail.
When the finest in law said we're outta control,
they cuffed me and threw me in jail.
It just doesn't get any better,
There isn't a captain there's only a crew.
The storms we weather together,
the places we've been and the things that we do.
Well, in Italy someone stabbed Joe.
Morale on the ship it had sunk mighty low.
Stitches in place he was back on the bass,
and we only missed one fishbone.
Show!

And it just doesn't get any better,
there isn't a captain there's only a crew.
The storms we weather together,
the places we've been and the things that we do.
Trips to, St. Louis, Lawrence, and Austin.
San Diego, Atlanta and don't forget Boston.
We travel and travel and we start to unravel.
Chewing up pavement and spittin' out gravel.
Sometimes the shit hits the fan,
and sometimes the shit it gets way out of hand.
Sure it's berserk but it beats honest work,
and it's great work to get if you.. can!

Who knows where we're headed next?
Not sure if anyone checked.
The only thing I know is wherever we go,
we leave the place thoroughly wrecked.

Travel, travel, we're starting to unravel,
as we travel down the road,
we're, ready to explode.
Keep the spirits up with a smile,
as we walk another mile,
‘cause when the journey ends,
we'll still be the best of friends.