About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
THE EXCUSES CALLED A MEETING lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
Order, order, quit shufflin' the blame The excuses called a meeting again
Verse 1
Order, order, all excuses are present "Too Tired" got tenure, employed since adolescence "Not Yet" reads the minutes with professional tension "One Day" takes attendance, then requests an extension "Bad Timing" brought charts with the dates rearranged "Need More Prep" made a motion that the goal should be changed I sit at the head like I do not know the members Though I hired half the room and forgot who remembers Secretary clears his throat, says, "First item: begin" The floor votes to table it, eleven to ten Then Discipline outside with a toolbox in hand Crossing lines with no slogan, no speech, no plan
Chorus
The excuses called a meeting again Too Tired got a title, Not Yet brought a pen One Day took attendance, Bad Timing objected Discipline kept working while the motion got rejected The excuses called a meeting again They call me a menace but we're all really friends
Verse 2
Local Chapter Fear files grievance number one Says I failed in public once, with the cameras still on That afternoon they founded this protection committee Built a union from the laughter, made avoidance look pretty And honestly, counselor, their evidence is strong I heard my own name echo when the whole room went wrong So "Never Again" got seniority, "Play Safe" got the chair "Wait Till You're Ready" put a lock on the air They were born to keep the bruise from becoming a brand They do not hate the work, they just fear where I stand I nod at the minutes, no villain in the file Just a frightened little office wearing policy and style
Chorus
The excuses called a meeting again Too Tired got a title, Not Yet brought a pen One Day took attendance, Bad Timing objected Discipline kept working while the motion got rejected The excuses called a meeting again They call me a menace but we're all really friends
Bridge
"Unauthorized tools at the east entrance." Discipline checks the hinge. No comment.
Verse 3
He got a wrench for the habit and a level for the doubt Tape measure on the promise, finds the deadline leaning out No manifesto printed, no heroic little quote Just a screw in the schedule and a patch across the moat "Too Tired" yells, "Scab!" from a folding metal chair Discipline keeps sanding like the insult is not there "Not Yet" cites procedure, subsection twenty-two He marks the first small action that a tired man can do I am not suddenly fearless, I am not newly wise I just tighten one loose handle while the committee organizes No parade at completion, no speech from the stairs Only sawdust on my sleeve and objections in the air
Chorus
The excuses called a meeting again Too Tired got a title, Not Yet brought a pen One Day took attendance, Bad Timing objected Discipline kept working while the motion got rejected The excuses called a meeting again They call me a menace but we're all really friends
Verse 4
New business: whether progress violates the contract Old business: why I panic when the room starts to clap back "Need Approval" wants a panel, "Perfect" wants review "Maybe Monday" says the wording needs another week or two I raise my hand against them, then I lower it halfway Because the case they made is honest, and the scar still gets a say Discipline sets the toolbox by the unfinished frame No victory expression, never asks me who to blame The chair calls for a vote: "All in favor of delay-" Half the room says "Aye," then the hallway speakers play: "Next meeting posted: tomorrow, nine-ten" The excuses called a meeting again
Inside the recording
Order, order, quit shufflin' the blame The excuses called a meeting again
The excuses called a meeting again Too Tired got a title, Not Yet brought a pen
New business: whether progress violates the contract Old business: why I panic when the room starts to clap back
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.