Living on bread and wine was easy for John and James and Mother Mary and I’m no saint and that’s my ball and chain Cause when I’m passed that silver challis I always drink my fill until it knocks me down and tangles up my brain Yeah buddy, it’s a short life it’s a hell of a life it’s a mean old world when you’re kicked to the gutter and the firewater is the one thing to put out the flame Walking through the graveyards and sleeping in alleys telling myself the same old stories Drinking that blood and calling it holy wine Looking in windows and seeing a stranger going through hell like a fallen angel
Feeling my bones getting old long before their time Yeah buddy, it’s a short life it’s a hell of a life it’s a mean old world when you’re kicked to the gutter and the firewater gotcha talking in circles again It’s an empty bottle passing around when your hopes and dreams have all burned down And the firewater is the one thing to put out the flame Take me home Take me home
Gather me up in your arms Lord have mercy divine So take me home Take me home Take me home Take me home
Cause it’s a short life, it’s a hell of a life, it’s a mean old world when your kicked to the gutter and the firewater is the one thing to put out the flame Yeah, the firewater is the one thing to put out the flame
