"The Night Before Larry Was Stretched" is not a song by Elvis Costello. It is an old Irish folk song that he covered on his album "The Chieftains 9: Boil The Breakfast Early." The song tells the story of a man named Larry who is about to be executed by hanging, known as "stretched" in the song. The lyrics depict the night before Larry's execution when his friends visit him in prison to offer support and comfort. The boys bring some belongings for Larry, referencing the line "A bit in their sacks too they fetched." This suggests that they brought some of Larry's personal belongings or possibly some items to sell, as Larry often helped others by selling his possessions to provide them with money or comfort, known as a "sneezer" in the song. The lyrics portray Larry as a kind and generous person, always willing to help others even in his desperate situation. They also depict the atmosphere in prison with a mention of "stools" and "trap-case," indicating that the friends gathered around Larry to spend time together before his execution. As the song progresses, Larry engages in a conversation about repentance and the role of the clergy with his friends. He questions the necessity of repentance, suggesting that it might be invented by the clergy to benefit themselves. This portion of the song satirizes the role of the clergy and their perceived hypocrisy. Larry then plays cards with his friends, but a dispute arises when one of them is caught cheating. This leads to an altercation where Larry becomes angry and threatens the cheater. Despite his imminent death, Larry refuses to be taken advantage of even in his final moments. The song touches on Larry's thoughts and fears about dying. He considers death as a release from the hardships of life, where he believes the dead are better off than the living. However, he also worries about the impact of his death on his lover, Sweet Molly, mentioning that the sight of his ghost would cause her great distress. As the day of Larry's execution arrives, his friends follow him on his journey to the gallows. Although one of his friends feels the urge to harm the executioner, Larry remains composed and quiet. He is ultimately hanged, and the song describes the aftermath of his death. Overall, the song portrays the camaraderie and support among friends in challenging times. It also reflects on themes of mortality, the role of the clergy, and the impact of one's death on loved ones.
