Freehold (Live At Continental Airlines Arena, E. Rutherford, Nj - 7/18/1999)

I was born right here on Randolph Street in Freehold
Yeah, right behind that big red maple in Freehold
I went to school right here
Got laid and had my first beer
Here in Freehold

Well, my folks all lived and worked right here in Freehold
I remember running up the street past the convent
To the church in Freehold
I chased my daddy down in these bars
And first fell in love with this guitar
Here in Freehold

I had my first kiss at the YMCA canteen on a Friday night
Maria Espinosa, baby, where are you tonight?
You were thirteen but way ahead of your time
I walked home with a limp but I felt just fine
That night in Freehold

Well, now the girls at Freehold Regional
Yeah, they all look pretty fine
I had my heart broke at least a half a dozen times
Now I wonder do they miss me, do they still get the edge?
Would they have dumped me if they knew I'd strike it rich?
Straight out of Freehold

Well, a lot of good folks gave us kids a hand in Freehold
When we started up our rock and roll band in Freehold
Yeah, we learned pretty quick how to rock it
I'll never forget the feeling of that first five bucks in my pocket
That I earned in Freehold

Well, I got out of here hard and fast from Freehold
Everybody wanted to kick my ass back then in Freehold
Well, if you were different or black or brown
It was a pretty redneck town
Back in Freehold

Well now, something broke my daddy's back in Freehold
He left and for thirty years he never come back
'Cept once he drove from California in just three days
Called my relatives some dirty names
And pulled straight out of Freehold

And now he's there by the highway buried in the dirt
His ghost flippin' the bird
To everybody in Freehold

Well, my sister got pregnant at seventeen in Freehold
Well, back then people they could be pretty mean
Aw honey, you had a rough road to go
Now you ain't made of nothin' but soul
I love you more than you'll ever know
We both survived Freehold

Well, my buddy Mike, he's the mayor now in Freehold
I remember when we had a lot more hair in Freehold
I left and swore I'd never walk those streets again, Jack
Now all I can say is "Holy shit, I'm back"
Back in Freehold

Well, I read something in the papers
A few weeks ago, it was pretty funny
The town council was debating whether to put up a
Statue of me in my hometown, but it cost too much money
Well, I'd like to thank the town council, my friends
For saving me from humiliation
And displaying the good hard common sense
We learned in Freehold

Well, this summer everything was green
Rode my kids in a fire engine through the streets of Freehold
I bored 'em with where Dad was born and raised
And first felt the sun on his face
In Freehold

Well, I still got a lot of real good friends back there
And I can usually find a free beer somewhere
With free dinners I am blessed
Should I go crazy, blow all my money, hit the tabloids
Become fodder for moronic talk shows
Turn my life into a complete fuckin' mess
Well, at least I'll never go hungry, I guess
In Freehold

I got a good Catholic education in Freehold
It led to an awful lot of masturbation in Freehold
Well, Father, it was just something I did for a smile
Hell, I still get a good one off once in a while
I dedicate it to Freehold

Don't get me wrong, I ain't puttin' anybody down
In the end it all just goes and comes around
In my hometown
Back in Freehold