The Boston Burglar
From Boston Streets to Chains: A Tale of Regret and Redemption
Lyrics
I was born and raised in Boston
I come from Boston, my place of birth and upbringing.
A place you all know well
Boston is a familiar place to everyone.
Brought up by honest parents
My parents were honest, and I'll be truthful in my story.
The truth to you I'll tell
Continuing to emphasize the honesty of my upbringing.
Brought up by honest parents
Reiteration of being raised by honest parents.
And raised most tenderly
I was raised with care and affection.
Till I became a sporting blade at
However, I turned into a person fond of risky activities by the age of twenty-three.
The age of twenty three
My reputation as someone who enjoys dangerous pastimes.
My character was taken and I was sent to jail
I was convicted and imprisoned.
My friends and parents tried in vain for
My loved ones tried unsuccessfully to secure my release.
To get me out on bail
Efforts were made to get me out of jail on bail.
But the jury found me guilty and the judge
The jury found me guilty, and the judge recorded it.
He wrote it down
Legal record of my crime.
For the breaking of the Union Bank
I was sentenced for robbing the Union Bank.
You are sent to Charlestown
The location where I was sent for my crime - Charlestown.
I set my foot on an eastbound train
I departed on a train heading east during a cold December.
One cold December day
Specific date mentioned for departure.
And every station we passed through
During the journey, people recognized and talked about me.
I could hear the people say:
Public discussion about my criminal status as I passed through stations.
"There goes the Boston burglar
People identifying and acknowledging me as the Boston burglar.
In cold chains he is bound
Reference to my being restrained in chains.
For the breaking of the Union Bank
Reiteration of my crime and destination to Charlestown.
He is sent to Charlestown"
Destination specified as Charlestown due to my actions.
Now, who have your liberty
Reflecting on the value of freedom and advising to cherish it.
Pray keep it if you can
Encouraging the preservation of freedom if one possesses it.
And don't go midnight rambling
Advising against engaging in unlawful activities.
Breaking laws of God or man for if you do
Warning about the consequences of breaking laws, both divine and human.
You'll surely rue and end up just like me
Expressing the inevitable regret one will face for such actions.
Serving out twenty years in a penitentiary
Describing a potential consequence - serving a lengthy sentence in prison.
I was born and raised in Boston
Repetition of the earlier stanza about being born and raised in Boston.
A place you all know well
Restating the familiarity of Boston to all.
Brought up by honest parents
Reaffirmation of having honest parents and vowing to tell the truth.
The truth to you I'll tell
Recapitulation of being raised by truthful parents.
Brought up by honest parents
Emphasizing the caring upbringing received.
And raised most tenderly
Reiterating the transition to a risky lifestyle at twenty-three.
Till I became a sporting blade at
Describing the change in behavior to a more reckless one.
The age of twenty three
Stating the age when this change occurred, linking it to the sporting lifestyle.
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