38 Years Old
The Tragically Hip
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Twelve men broke loose in seventy-three From Mill Haven maximum security Twelve pictures lined up across the front page Seems the Mounties had a summertime war to wage The chief told the people they had nothing to fear Said, "The last thing they wanna do is hang around here" They mostly came from towns with long French names But one of the dozen was a hometown shame Same pattern on the table, same clock on the wall Been one seat empty, eighteen years in all Freezing slow time, away from the world He's thirty-eight years old, never kissed a girl He's thirty-eight years old, never kissed a girl We were sitting around the table, heard the telephone ring Father said he'd tell 'em if he saw anything Heard the tap on the window in the middle of the night Held back the curtains for my older brother Mike See my sister got raped so a man got killed Local boy went to prison, man's buried on the hill Folks went back to normal when they closed the case They still stare at their shoes when they pass our place My mother cried, "The horror has finally ceased!" He whispered, "Yeah, for the time being at least" Over her shoulder on the squad car megaphone Said, "Let's go Michael, son, we're taking you home" Same pattern on the table, same clock on the wall Been one seat empty, eighteen years in all Freezing slow time, away from the world He's thirty-eight years old, never kissed a girl He's thirty-eight years old, never kissed a girl He's thirty-eight years old, never kissed a girl
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Written by: Gordon Downie, Gordon Sinclair, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, Robert Baker
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Release"38 Years Old" was released in 1989 as a part of The Tragically Hip's first full-length album, "Up to Here".
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Song InspirationThe song was inspired by a real-life event. Back in 1972, 14 inmates escaped from Millhaven Institution, a maximum-security prison in Bath, Ontario.
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Song MisconceptionDespite the lyrics insisting, "twelve men broke loose in '73", the actual event occurred in 1972. The deviation in the song was a creative choice by Gordon Downie, the lead vocalist and lyricist for The Tragically Hip.
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Song InterpretationThe song is an emotional and sympathetic portrayal of one of the escaped convicts who, as per the song, was the singer's brother.
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Canadian IdentityLike many songs from The Tragically Hip, "38 Years Old" features strong Canadian references making the band a significant part of the Canadian identity.
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Band RecognitionAlthough The Tragically Hip never made it big on the international front, they are considered one of the most popular and influential bands in Canada. Their song, "38 Years Old", is a favorite among their fans.
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Live PerformancesDespite the popularity of "38 Years Old", the band rarely performed it live at their concerts before their lead singer, Gord Downie, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
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Musical StyleThe song's haunting melody and powerful lyrics make it a classic example of The Tragically Hip's rock-influenced storytelling style.
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Song's MeaningThe song is an exploration of themes such as regret, aging, freedom, and the implications of one's choices on their loved ones. These themes are aligned with the band's inclination towards producing thought-provoking music.
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Song's Reception"38 Years Old" is considered one of the highlights of "Up to Here" and is widely regarded as a classic by fans and critics alike, lauding the song's narrative and emotive quality.
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Citation
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