Three Day Weekend
The album’s Labor Day song is one that, unlike so many of the tracks on the record, I didn’t come into the sessions in Lawrence, Kansas with big aspirations for. And yet, based upon the feedback I’ve received, it may be the most popular on the album. Probably because (like “He’s In Love” from “UnPop…”) I didn’t have some big ambitious vision for the song, so the track is me playing (an electric guitar in both cases) with a great rhythm section that knew me really well after years of touring together. Talk about solidarity!
The song is a kind of tribute to my grandfather who, before becoming an esteemed electrical engineer at MIT, was one of many people protesting with striking workers at a GM plant in Michigan when police opened fire on the crowd. My grandfather, who was the first and greatest curmudgeon I have ever known, obviously survived the event. He often recounted how he bent down to tie the laces of his shoe, and when he arose the man behind him had taken a bullet.
“They wanted revolution. They got a three day weekend…” is a line I am very proud of.
Lyrics
THREE DAY WEEKEND
They gathered in the street by the millions
Their destiny to meet by the factory
and though they died in prison
or were assassinated
their children would be free
Let’s see…
They wanted revolution
They got a three day weekend
so I can go down to the mall
and buy my self a soda
Get my girl a shawl
The days are getting colder
and baby that ain’t all
If I were half the man
that came before me
I think I’d probably be
about half the man
that stands before ya
and if he were here
he’d probably disagree with me
because…
he wanted revolution
not just a three day weekend
so you can go down to the store
and consume a little more
We’re always needin’…
You can say I’ve got it better than they had it
so I’d better not complain
Well I’ll admit I’ve got a faster modem
but I think I’ve got a slower brain
Sometimes these holidays
they just sap the strength
of the things they’re meant to praise
C’mon a three day weekend
that ain’t no revolution
not long as things just stay the same
except there’s more pollution
and new drugs to keep us tame
the TV generation’s
got fluoride on the brain
and money in the bloodstream
No wonder we’re insane
Gotta keep on swimmin’ upstream
Keep on swimmin’
Keep on swimmin’ upstream
Keep on swimmin’
Men and women
We gotta keep on swimmin’ upstream
Credits
Written by Andras Jones
Andras Jones – Electric and Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Tom Johnson – Hammond Organ
Brian Schey – Bass Guitar
Colin Mahoney – Drums
Produced with Brian Schey & Colin Mahoney
at z’gwon,th studio in Lawrence, Kansas – September & October 1999
with engineering help from Tom Johnson,
Dan Balsinger & Anne Stephens
Purchase
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