Lyrics for Thirty Whacks as interpreted by okokayok

Thirty Whacks Lyrics
thirty licks with a belt - playing tricks on myself
and i wonder if everyone else is this way
a succession of tests a triumphant success
each time it’s still intact at the end of the day

thirty drops in a glass - keep my temper and pass
with my breath held you bastards i’ll get you! but then -
its not really so bad, there’s still mom there’s still
damage to do before they wrest the axe from my heads

its no mystery: you should obviously go
before i break everything
you’re always telling me that youre dying to know
but you’re not really listening

how do i manage to station myself in harms way
and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
that i have no means to pay - and no strength to argue
the voices are infesting up through the floorboards and they’re
murmuring murder me
if i could shut them out just for an hour i swear
i could stop this catastrophe

thirty day guarantee
but that can’t include me
after all i’m at home in this childproof world
no sharp corners or glass
no small objects or plastic bags
please, these are death to a delicate girl

its no mystery - you should obviously know
that i’ll destroy everything
so dont keep telling me that youre dying to know
cause you’ll get what youre asking for

how can it be that i still put myself in harms way
and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
that i have no means to pay - what kind of place is this?
now all the voices are screaming this just isnt fair
but i’ve got a fool proof plan
if i can get them alone for an hour i swear
it’ll look like an accident
i could be decent yet
i’ll make up for everything
i could be president....

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holyshazam
04-17-2005

Rated 0 
I love this song.

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errky39
04-29-2005

Rated 0 
ditto.

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Bleeding_Rose
08-01-2005

Rated -1 
Its about a depressed person who does harm to herself!!! she feels like people say they want to know what she feels, but when she talks to them they dont listen and dont seem to care!!!

she is so just so emotional fragile and is scared of killing herslef or something before she can get anywhere good in her life!! but she just is afriad of having no futer, when she could be anything, when she grows up!!!

if only they would listen, that is what this song is about!! basically



This song is great

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ChronoMCC
08-27-2005

Rated 0 
Reminds me more of Lizzie Borden. Contrary to rhyme, she didn't give her mother forty whacks, not her father 41. Her mother recieved at least 20 blows; her father ten. 30 Whacks. That and the 'theres still mom, theres still damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands'

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InvaderFromWithin
09-03-2005

Rated 0 
Yeah, I got the Lizzie Borden thing too...

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deathxdonexapart
12-21-2005

Rated 0 
The first verse is saying basically that she is hurting her self physically but is lying to herself saying she isnt. She is also regretting the pain. Second verse says that she is drinking and that she is getting violent and there is still mom and damage to do therefore saying she is indeed violent. Then they take the axe trying to stop her. Third is saying you should leave because im wasting my time. Fourth is saying that she is always victimmised and in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also if she could shut them out maybe she wouldnt feel so victimised. fifth is saying that she has been placed in a place such as a hospital that would be safe. sixth is saying that she has a bit of a temper and will enforce harm and someone is leading her onto this harm. SItxh she is keeping a secret that the demons so to speak are yelling at her for and that they "arent being paid enough" because their effort is useless and she wants a second chance because she could be decent still or yet...and she is saying she could be so decent that she woudl be a great person and that she would even be nice enough to be "president"...and the corrections are below.

thirty licks with a belt - playing tricks on myself
and i wonder if everyone else is this way
a succession of tests a triumphant success
each time it’s still intact at the end of the day

thirty drops in a glass - keep my temper and pass
with my breath held you bastards you've lucked out again
its not really so bad, there’s still mom there’s still
damage to do before they wrest the axe from my heads

its no mystery: you should obviously go
before i break everything
you’re always telling me that youre dying to know
but you’re not really listening

how do i manage to station myself in harms way
and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
that i have no way to pay - and no strength to argue
Mypersonal demons can skeeve with professional care
oh god their after me
if i could shut them out just for an hour i swear
(i could) stop this catastrophe

thirty day guarantee
but that can’t include me
after all i’m at home in this childproof world
no sharp corners or glass
no small objects or plastic bags
please, these are death to a delicate girl

its no mystery - you should obviously know
that i’ll destroy everything
so dont keep telling me that youre dying to know
cause you’ll get what youre asking for

how can it be that i still put myself in harms way
and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
that i have no way to pay -stating i came the wrong day
now all the demons are screaming their wages arent fair
I've held a secret kept
if i could shut them up just for a second i swear
it’ll look like an accident
i could be decent yet
the magnificent
i could be president....

there you go

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Mjechta_Moya
01-03-2006

Rated 0 
Firt of all, I'd like to point out that the correct lyrics are indeed "you bastards / you've lucked out again"

This song is about the Lizzie Borden murders. It is from Lizzie's point of view, and uniquely expresses her frustration at her father and stepmother.

"After all, I was born to a child-proof world.." and "please, these are death to a delicate girl!" express Lizzie's frustration at the opression of Victorian ladies, who were expected to be "delicate". This could also explain "you're not really listening". Women were ignored for the most part.

"if I could shut them up just for a second..." is referring to how she wants to shut up her parents for good. She views them as a source of her problems and frustration.

Also, "thirty drops in the glass" refers to poison. Supposedly, Lizzie bought poison the day before the ax murders. The day of the murders, Lizzie's stepmother was feeling ill to what the doctor supposed was minor food poisoning.

Thus, "you bastards, you've lucked out again" is referring to the fact that Lizzie is trying to knock these people off, but they keep surviving the attempts.

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saint_anonymous
01-12-2006

Rated 0 
i believe its " my personal demons can scheme with professional flair."

'stead of

"My personal demons can skeeve with professional care"

ooh... lizzie borden. excellent explanation. its such a beautiful song.

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saint_anonymous
01-17-2006

Rated 0 
"theres still mom theres still damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands"

not heads.

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Imguam
02-09-2006

Rated 0 
Ugh, this song needs some serious corrections. Here are some improved [dunno if they're spot on..] lyrics.


Thirty licks with a belt - several tricks on myself
And I wonder, does everyone else live this way?
A succession of tests, a triumphant success
Each time I'm still intact at the end of the day

Thirty drops in a glass - keep my temper and pass
With my breath held, you bastards, you've lucked out again
It's not really so bad, there’s still mom there’s still
Damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands

It's no mystery - you should obviously go
Before I break everything
You’re always telling me that you're dying to know
But you’re not really listening

How do I manage to station myself in harms way and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
That I have no way to pay - and no strength to argue?
My personal demons can scheme with professional care
Oh god, they're after me
If I could shut them up just for a second, I swear...
I could stop this catastrophe!

Thirty day guarantee, but they can't've meant me
After all I was born to a childproof world
No sharp corners or glass, small objects or plastic bags
Please, these are death to a delicate girl

It's no mystery - you should obviously know
That I’ll destroy everything
So don't keep telling me that you're dying to know
'Cause you’ll get what you're asking for

And I still manage to station myself in harm's way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
Stating I came the wrong... day...

Now all the demons are screaming their wages are unfair
I've left a secret kept
If I could shut them up just for a second, I swear...
It’d look like an accident!

I could be decent yet!
Be magnificent!

Ooooh, ooooh...

I could be president...!

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Sordida
04-11-2006

Rated 0 
I get the idea of Lizzie Borden, but with the Dresden Dolls there are usually 2 meanings to the songs. There is the outter meaning (the lizzie borden) But then Amanda writes the songs so that there is another layer to it. The second layer to me is about her releshonship with her family. Possibly comparing herself to Lizzie Borden.

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CoinXOperatedXGirl
05-26-2006

Rated 0 
i agree with Sordida. This song can have multiple meanings, but it could also associate with Amanda's relationship with her Dad. (Like Half-Jack). Especially in the line 'there's still Mom, theres still da-mage' i don't know if it's just me, but i thought she was going to say 'Dad' when saying this, but instead, Amanda says 'damage'

Yet again, maybe i'm just crazy...

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theyellowbird
06-15-2006

Rated 0 
For me this song is about humilating yourself by letting passive behavior take control over your life.

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badhabit_whore
08-25-2006

Rated 0 
I too get the Lizzie Borden vibe from this beautiful song. It's one of my favorites (because I can never just pick one ;] ) The idea from CoinXOperatedXGirl is also a good possiblity.

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TheSweetHeartRoland
10-07-2006

Rated 0 
Definently, it makes alot more sense to me with the Lizzie Borden explaination.


"Thirty licks with a belt - several tricks on myself
and i wonder if everyone else is this way"

Ah! Brilliant. Speaking so much! Does everyone else feel that way. She would have probably given everything in the world just to know, Lizzie Borden, I mean.

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Glass_slipper
12-04-2006

Rated 0 
The Lizzie Borden explaination is one that I picked up right away. I think that was one idea especially in the line that follows.

"its not really so bad, there’s still mom there’s still
damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands"

I also got the impression of an insane asylum in this line.

"no sharp corners or glass
no small objects or plastic bags
please, these are death to a delicate girl"

It got me thinking because you aren't allowed to wear belts or sharp objects or anything that can be used as weapons in asylums for fear that the patient will hurt themself or someone else.

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drewen
01-28-2007

Rated 0 
Thirty licks with a belt
playing tricks on myself
And I wonder, does everyone else live this way?
A succession of tests,
a triumphant success
Each time I'm still intact at the end of the day

Thirty drops in a glass
keep my temper and pass
With my breath held,
you bastards, you've lucked out again (This line is occasionally played as "You bastards, I'll get you! but then...")
It's not really so bad,
there’s still mom there’s still da-
mage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands

It's no mystery
you should obviously go
Before I break everything
You’re always telling me that you're dying to know
But you’re not really listening

How do I manage to station myself in harms way and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
That I have no way to pay
and no strength to argue?
My personal demons can scheme with professional flair
Oh god, they're after me
If I could shut them up just for a second, I swear...
I could stop this catastrophe!

Thirty day guarantee, but they can't have meant me
After all I was born to a childproof world
No sharp corners or glass, small objects or plastic bags
Please, these are death to a delicate girl

It's no mystery
you should obviously know
That I’ll destroy everything
So don't keep telling me that you're dying to know
'Cause you’ll get what you're asking for

And I still manage to station myself in harm's way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
Stating I came the wrong... day...
(Occasionally, a lyric is also added here: "What kind of place is this?")
Now all the demons are screaming their wages aren't fair
I've got a secret kept
If I could shut them up just for a hour, I swear...
It would look like an accident!
I could be decent yet!
I could make up for everything!
I COULD BE PRESIDENT!

There... Those are what I use as vox when I play this song.

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hmstaab06
03-04-2007

Rated 0 
seems to me like this song is about being in a mental hospital. a lot of it appears to me like a battle against the forces that put her there - her parents, the doctors, and her own "personal demons."
the "You’re always telling me that you're dying to know
But you’re not really listening" seems like a reference to the doctors asking her questions, but then ignoring her answers to enforce their own ideas of what's wrong.
"If I could shut them up just for a second, I swear... I could stop this catastrophe!"
people who hear voices often feel that if they can have one moment of silence in their heads, they could figure things out.
mental illness seems especially applicable to the last lines - the idea that her illness is preventing her from all of the things she could be.

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SumerAir30304
03-15-2007

Rated 0 
I get the whole Lizzie Borden thing- just one flaw: she killed her mother first and then her father. "There's still mom there's still damage to do..." could just be an oversight. Or I guess a lot of her songs have double meanings and not every line fits both meanings so that could be a reference to how she still has her mother even though her dad walked out...

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AmandaMichelle
07-08-2007

Rated 0 
Yes, yes it seems to be about Lizzie Borden and probably is but as CoinXOperatedXGirl pointed out once before that Amanda, being the lovely girl she is, rarely lives her songs to be so superficial as to only have one meaning. As with most of her songs (i.e. Sex Changes & First Orgasm), it has a deeper meaning besides the obvious. Now what you believe that meaning is, is up to you. I personally believe it is probably inspired mainly by her relationship with her father along with other important people in her life that leave her feeling fragile and a bit unstable (like Lizzie).

But again... just my opinion.

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abulia
11-04-2007

Rated 0 
other people keep telling you they're there for you, but in practice, never seem to really care.
"you're always telling me that you're dying to know, but you're not really listening."
on the other hand, if you do confide in them, they begin to treat you like something fragile and unpredictable.

i think this song is about the helpless, angry feeling that arises from being trapped in a cycle of depression. you know you're going to ruin your personal relationships, because nothing can stop someone who has loss interest in fixing his or her life--"it's no mystery, you should obviously go."
and in the background, there's always the bitter knowledge that you technically could fix your life, even though in the everyday, you feel too overwhelmed to do it.

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peace_loser_girl
05-24-2008

Rated 0 
ok I love this song...it's about hopelessness, and wanting something more in life than what you've got or had. The end
"I could be decent, yet. be magnificent. I could be president" seems to hold a little hope for the future, but it seems to me to be noted with wishing.

these are the lyrics I got from the version I've listed to (I've only heard on version, and I think it's the on from "A is for accident")

Thirty licks with a belt
same old tricks on myself
And I wonder, does everyone else live this way?
A succession of tests,
a triumphant success
Each time I'm still intact at the end of the day

Thirty drops in a glass
keep my temper and pass
With my breath held,
you bastards, you've lucked out again
It's not really so bad,
there’s still mom there’s still
damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands

It's no mystery
you should obviously go
Before I break everything
You’re always telling me that you're dying to know
But you’re not really listening

How do I manage to station myself in harms way and only get hit with a ticket for loitering
That I have no way to pay
and no strength to argue?
My personal demons can scheme with professional care (though "flair" may be right)
Oh god, they're after me
If I could shut them up just for a second, I swear...
I could stop this catastrophe!

Thirty day guarantee, but they can't have meant me
After all I was born to a childproof world
No sharp corners or glass, small objects or plastic bags
Please, these are death to a delicate girl

It's no mystery
you should obviously know
That I’ll destroy everything
So don't keep telling me that you're dying to know
'Cause you’ll get what you're asking for

And I still manage to station myself in harm's way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
Stating I came the wrong... day...
Now all the demons are screaming their wages aren't fair
I've left a secret kept
If I could shut them up just for a hour, I swear...
It would look like an accident!
I could be decent yet!
Be magnifecent!
I could be president!

love love lovers...enjoy :)

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getupeatjelly
07-13-2008

Rated 0 
Hi, has this song only been released in America? Cos i'm really struggling to find it here in the uk, it's not on ebay or itunes. Could anyone who ahs the song please please send it to me? I heard it on youtube and love it. Thanks, iz x

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blackskieslullaby
07-13-2008

Rated 0 
Well, i recognise the Lizzie Borden reference. But im not really sure you can write a song without picking words from your own feelings.
And interpriting with my own experiences this song is about a desire to hurt other people, as well as yourself. Just allowing things to happen to you that you know will cause damage but you just go the hell ahead and do it anyways. and then you dont get the punishment you wanted from people "only a ticket...", but it is still is too much. and you still hope things will work out even though you have damned yourself.
and also the wanting to actually get people who you blame for your problems outve your life, like Lizzie, opression and whatnot. i enjoy this song during bouts of self-indulgent sadness hehe

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madmannequin13
07-10-2009

Rated 0 
am i the ONLY one who thinks lizzie was framed? that evidence was circumstantial and besides... ladies don't just off someone with an axe.. we're much cleverer than that! ;)

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