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Squints on a Triple

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I wrote this song about a game of Scrabble™ with my daughter, Jennie, in 2008 — it is, naturally, based on a true story. The lyrics, while ostensibly describing a game, are really about being a father and watching your children grow up — I remember beating my father in chess for the first time (and the real anger he expressed when that happened); in my case, the feeling was more bitter-sweet, as many necessary transitions are.

Someone with the internet name IanthePez somehow located the song online and submitted it to a contest: the song thus became the winner of the 2008 BoardGameGeek contest for real board games mentioned in songs.

Squints on a Triple
Words and music © 2008 J. Ochshorn

1. She put squints on a triple with q on the double
I thought I was winning but now I'm in trouble
All of my hopes, false expectations burst like a bubble

2. It's the first rule of offense to cover your back
Protect all your troopers from a flanking attack
Don't let the lineman in for a sack

[Chorus] How could I let myself relinquish control
Let my constructions collapse into rubble
On the very last play, on the very last roll
She put squints on a triple with q on the double

3. She has flung in my face all those skills that I taught her
Now I'm left in disgrace its a moral that's sought here
You better be careful when playing games with your daughter [Chorus]

[Bridge] Just look at the score
Nothing will be the same in this game anymore

4. She giggles and she claps but her face seems to soften
I think she's perhaps rolled the dice once too often
So come on now, one more for the road baby
I'm not yet in my coffin [Chorus]

Production notes:
Song was arranged, produced, and recorded on Garageband software by J. Ochshorn. All instruments and vocals by J. Ochshorn. Instruments include some software instruments (e.g., drums and bass) played live on a midi keyboard by J. Ochshorn.
Recorded at home in Ithaca, NY, July 2008; re-mixed in 2018.

First posted 1 September 2014. Last updated: 5 February 2023