What I Have to Do

from Wild Irish Rose by The Violet Fire

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

i walk the shore line
these are hard times
i remember the water blue
but the years have gone by
and i've watched the water dry
watched my people lose

i'll take my freedom from you
if that's what it takes, that's what i'll do

it's dog eat dog in this bitter fight
i'm a dog that's been kicked too much
you can only stand by while your future dies
for so long before you throw a punch

i'll take my freedom from you
if that's what it takes, that's what i'll do

you have to let your heart and your head make decisions
never one without the other
so i kissed my family twice each before i left
i knew my death would free them forever

i walk the shore line

it's disgusting how badly we all need the money
that's just the ways of this earth
when you've got close to nothing
you can see it coming
so you have to do something in return
i put my last six bullets in my father's head
he was rich man, but he like to pretend we were dead
so i ate the dog and i hid the money
wrote a letter to my wife
said "please forgive me, honey"
then i took to the road with my burdens and revenge
all packed away neatly, into the past we sped
and i will never see the daylight on this earth again
but at least i know my daughters will never be hungry again

and i'll take my freedom from you
if that's what it takes that's what i'll do

credits

from Wild Irish Rose, released May 21, 2007
Matthew Ryan - vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Arthur Hatton - electric guitar, including a wicked guitar solo

Thomas Hatton - drums

license

about

The Violet Fire Lexington, Kentucky

The Violet Fire has one sole member with a revolving door of guest musicians. All of the songs are written and produced by Matthew Ryan who also records most of the instruments himself. The Violet Fire's mixtape rock lumps together heavy rock songs, upbeat folk, and powerful ballads. You'll tap your feet, you'll feel all warm and fuzzy, then you'll get plastered to the wall. ... more

contact / help

Contact The Violet Fire

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like The Violet Fire, you may also like:

Echo Dancing
by Alejandro Escovedo

The legendary Alejandro Escovedo returns with another country-rock scorcher. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 29, 2024
go to album
Downey to Lubbock
by Dave Alvin

Soulful guitar interplay form the heart of this lovely Americana collaboration from Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2018
go to album
Living Water
by Shannon Lay

Songs of timeless beauty and power in the mold of Vashti Bunyan and Nick Drake from enigmatic Los Angeles artist Shannon Lay. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 4, 2017
go to album
Not Getting What You Want, One Step at a Time
by Imp of Perverse

Getting some serious Dean Wareham vibes from this Texas bedroom project that’s anything but lo-fi. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 10, 2017
go to album
Welcome
by Slaughter Beach, Dog

Slaughter Beach, Dog—a.k.a. Modern Baseball’s Jake Ewald—deliver taut, tuneful indie rock, effortlessly melodic and soaring. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 17, 2016
go to album
Summer Of Love
by Jess Ribeiro

Backed by a rotating cast of collaborators, the Australian singer-songwriter refines her folk-tinged indie pop sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 11, 2024
go to album
Jolie Laide
by Jolie Laide

Nina Nastasia & Jeff MacLeod join forces as Jolie Laide, playing noir-y songs that glow soft as moonlight. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 17, 2023
go to album