Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail

If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong and kind, I need help here with this feather

If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line

Pound the prairie pavement, losin' proposition
Quittin' school and goin' to work and never goin' fishin'
Water all around, never learning how to swim now

If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
If being strong and kind, then I need help here with this feather

If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line, li-li-line
At the swingin' party down the line

Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail

If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong is what you want, then I need help here with this feather

If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line
Every valentine at the swingin' party down the line
Catch you down at the swingin' party down the line


Lyrics submitted by krushzed, edited by gilbert113

Swingin Party Lyrics as written by Paul Westerberg

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Swingin' Party song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    I think the "swingin' party down the line is just death". I don't think he's talking to another addict ("if being strong's your kind, I need help here with this feather"), so he's saying that everybody is essentially afraid if the same thing: death. Drugs, partying, all that is simply his way of dealing with a generalized anxiety. This is a plea for sympathy, solidarity and mutual empathy. Gorgeous melody and brave for a punk rock band to attempt. Not to mention pull off.

    fadetoflasheson March 14, 2014   Link

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