Devil in the Bottle

Verse 1

I always said I'd quit when I hit the bottom

Guess I meant the bottom of the bottle

I always swore I'd stop when I got where I was gone

But I just kept a strangle on the throttle

Shattered glass and a broken door

The boys found me lying laid out on the floor

They said, "How low you gotta go before you hit that bottom?"

I said, "Down about six feet more"

Chorus

Oh, the devil in the bottle, I let him out tonight

He was blowing smoke and telling jokes and saying, "Boy, it's gonna be all right

In the bottom of the bottle, gonna take his place tonight”

But if I ever get out of this gutter I'm in

If I ever face the facts like they should have been

If I ever crawl out of this bottle of gin

I'm never letting him out again

Verse 2

She always said she'd leave when she had her fill

But too much was never enough

'Cause a vow's like a curse for better or worse

And love, you know, love plays rough

But a broken heart makes a broken home

And now I'm living in an empty apartment alone

Always stood by her man, much as she could stand

Now she's left him standing on his own

Chorus

Oh, the devil in the bottle, I let him out tonight

He was bumming smokes and telling jokes and spreading lies and picking fights

In the bottom of the bottle, I'll be here all night

But if I ever get out of this gutter I'm in

If I ever face the facts like they should have been

If I ever crawl out of this bottle of gin

I'm never letting him out again

Verse 3

Now I'm back here in the tank in a four-man cell

Sharing floor space with twenty other losers

Looking for a decent way to make my bail

But beggars can't be choosers

Used my one call on a sometime friend

His wife in the background swearing, "Not again!"

Out of luck and out of bucks

Tonight I've really reached the end

Chorus

Oh, the devil in the bottle, I let him out tonight

He was blowing smoke and telling jokes and spreading lies and picking fights

In the bottom of the bottle, gonna do his time tonight

But if I ever buy out of this trouble I'm in

If I ever squeeze the bail out of kith or kin

If I ever get out of this redneck pen

I'm never letting him out again

Oh, the devil in the bottle, I let him out tonight

He was bumming smokes and telling jokes and spreading lies and picking fights

In the bottom of the bottle, gonna be a long, long night

But if I ever get out of this gutter I'm in

If I ever face the facts like they should have been

If I ever crawl out of this bottle of gin

I'm never letting him out again

---------------------------

Gone for Good

Verse 1

The first time I came back to you

I thought I needed you

the second time I thought you needed me

well I’ve given it my best

now I’m giving it a rest

I’ll be out that door before

you can count --  to --  three

Chorus

Cause I’m gone for good

for my own good and for yours

and you can rest assured

that I’ve done all that I could

I’ve struggled through the sad times

the bitter times and bad times

I’m done and gone and moving on

This time I’m gone for good

Verse 2

The last time that I said goodbye

you begged me not to leave you

you said you’d change, you swore you really would

Well now, you may think that’s true

but there’s no believing you

so I’ll be leaving you - this 

goodbye is -- for -- good

Chorus

Yes I’m gone for good

and it’s surely for the better

that I get my act together

and take it on the road

I’ve struggled through the sad times

the bitter times and bad times

I’m on my way to better days

cause babe I’m gone for good

Bridge

You remind me that we married for better or for worse

you surely got the better of me

But no one said a wedding vow was meant to be a curse

and life’s too short to live in misery

Chorus

So I’m gone for good now

and it’s really for the better

that I get my life together

and start living like I should

I’ve struggled through the sad times

the bitter times and bad times

Better days are here to stay

cause now I’m gone for good

Instrumental

Bridge

You remind me that we married for better or for worse

you surely got the better of me

well I can save this mess called "us" or I can save myself

that’s not a choice as far as I can see

Chorus

Yes I’m gone for good

and it’s better late than never

that I get my act together

and start living like I should

I’ve struggled through the sad times

the bitter times and bad times

Now better days are come my way

this time I’m gone for good

Cause I’m gone for good

for my own good and for yours

and you can rest assured

that I’ve done all that I could

I’ve struggled through the sad times

the bitter times and bad times

I’m done and gone and moving on

This time I’m gone for good

 I’m going, going, going… gone for good

---------------------------

Hunting Drunk

Verse 1

The year has entered its graceless middle age

And the tide slaps the levee in a dissipated rage

Ten gauge double-ought buck

Thought would radically improve my luck

Like popping fattened domestics in a cage

Verse 2

But these waders I patched with pieces of inner tube

Buckled in the cold and completely come unglued

Now I'm frozen in a foot of mud

Like a monument to Elmer Fudd

'Cause fetching ain't something my bird dog stoops to do

Chorus

And it's a flaw in me, when I get first pick

I take the runt

Like I like to hear every fool declare

"That dog won't hunt!"

And my payback's a steady whine

From the mutt shivering back in the blind

I'm dogging it, fetching mud, I'm hunting drunk

Verse 3

The boys all bagged their limit and headed home

And for three days now I've been haunting this lease alone

Just hanging here with man's best friend

Who can't wait for this adventure to end

He don't know you gone and left us on our own

Chorus

And it's a flaw in me, picking number one

I pick the runt

Like I like to hear every pinhead swear

"That dog won't hunt!"

My reward for choosing to believe,

A retriever who won't retrieve,

I'm dogging it, sucking wind, I'm hunting drunk

Instrumental

Verse 4

I figure by now you've had enough time to pack

Left it all in pieces behind you and don't look back

But I think I'll maybe wait right here

Another day, hell another year

Just spinning my wheels and calling it "right on track"

Chorus

And it never fails, when I reed the blitz

I pump fake and punt

And every armchair hack playing quarterback saying

"That dog won't hunt!"

Man, they're piling on anyway

I'm out of here any day

I'm dogging it, eating turf, I'm hunting drunk

And it's a flaw in me when I win the draft

I pick the runt

Like I like to hear every fool declare

"That dog won't hunt!"

And wrong is when I double down

And stupid's when I take the crown

I'm dogging it, sucking wind, I'm hunting drunk

I'm dogging it, fetching grief, I'm hunting drunk

---------------------------

Therapy

 Verse 1

Do I want to talk about it?

No, I really don’t.

Helps some folks to let it out.

For me I'd say it won’t.

Living life on our own islands

So much goes unheard

Sometimes sympathetic silence

Says more than our words

Chorus

I don’t know why she cares for me

I just thank God she’s there for me

Heal until

You feel again

Till everything seems real again

She is my therapy

She is my therapy

Verse 2

I’m not what you call “spiritual” (pronounce “spirichul”)

But ever since I met her

Her love’s been like a miracle

The good that made me better

Stress and loss, they do their damage

Deep within our souls

When life’s more than I can manage

Her love makes me whole.  Control

Chorus

Always taking care of me

In the moment, there for me

Heal and you

Can feel again

And everything seems real again

Her love is my therapy

She is my therapy

Instrumental

Bridge

My weakness is I can’t admit I’m weak;

My fear is I’m afraid of showing fear.

Even when I seem withdrawn and distant

It’s all I need to know I have her near

Verse 3

Do I want to talk about it?

I don’t think I do.

We don’t always need to say what

Our hearts know is true.

Some folks need to shrink their world but

One size don’t fit all

Loving her I’ve grown so much

My troubles have got small

Chorus

I don’t know why she cares for me

I just thank God she’s there for me

Heal until

You feel again

Till every gesture’s  real again

Loving her’s my therapy

She is my therapy

I don’t know why she cares for me

I just thank God she’s there for me

Heal until

You feel again

Till every gesture’s  real again

Loving her’s my therapy

She is my therapy

---------------------------

Love and Learn

Verse 1:

It was the first true love

of your first-grade life

and it broke your heart

when your teacher left

to be another man’s wife

your dad said, “Look here, Son,

someday you’ll get your turn;

Chapter One in the facts of life:

You gotta love and learn.”

Chorus:

Love, love and learn

something new at every turn

and every lesson just keeps you guessin’

and sometimes you’re gonna get burned

and it won’t help to play it smart

’cause you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

yeah you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

you gotta love and learn

Verse 2:

They said it wouldn’t last

you were just nineteen

getting married to the finest woman

that you’d ever seen

but at twenty-one

she was up and gone

Just a note on the bed [that] said

“Sorry babe – I think we’re done.”

Chorus:

Love, love and learn

something new at every turn

and ev’ry lesson just raises more questions

and you don’t always get what you’ve earned

and it’s never gonna get any fairer

than a comedy of trial and error

you gotta give to get your share

you gotta love and learn

[Instrumental]

Bridge:

Friends introduced you to a friend of a friend

you sat up and took note

just one look she read you like a book

and brother that was all she wrote

Verse 3:

Now it’s been fifteen years

had your ups and downs

and you’ve been lover and husband

and counsel and comfort and clown

But you’re schooled in love

to an advanced degree

in the knowledge they don’t teach in college

you’re a Ph.D.

Chorus:

Love, love and learn

something new at every turn

and every lesson just keeps on testin’ ya

sometimes you’re gonna get burned

and it won’t help to play it smart

’cause you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

yeah you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

you gotta love and learn

Love, love and learn

something new at every turn

and every lesson’s a hidden blessin’

an investment with an endless return

and it won’t help to play it smart

’cause you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

yeah you’re gonna have to learn it by heart

you gotta love and learn

love, love, love

love and learn

---------------------------

Liar's Waltz

Verse 1

Late summer evening

The moon is on the rise

The lights come up on every porch

Under the whiskey sky

In the backyard all the couples

Dance under a string of lights

Into the night

Into the night (oh-oh)

Verse 2

Now baby I know you hoped for so much more than this

The promises that made you his and sealed it with a kiss

It's our chance now, it's our dance now

We can chase the fading light

Into the night

Into the night (woah-oh)

Guitar Solo

Bridge

And let's not spoil it with the lie that this is love

When lying with you is enough (woah-oh-oh-oh)

Verse 3

Sweet days of summer fools think they'll never end

But there's one thing you got with me you don't have to pretend

Lay your head now on my shoulder

And let's dance this Liar's Waltz

Into the night

Lie with me tonight

Lie with me tonight

---------------------------

I.O.U.

Verse 1

I owe you

I was lost, without a clue

You were there out of the blue

I.O.Y.O.U.

And I know who, who picked me up and pulled me through

Let me spell it out for you:

I.O.Y.O.U.

Chorus

So every day, the more I owe you

And every way, I'm gonna show you,

gotta pay credit where credit's due

due to you

'Cause

Verse 2

I owe you, for a love that's tried and true

There is nothing I won't do for you

I.O.Y.O.U.

So high on you, and all the lovin' things you do

Darlin' if you only knew

I.O.Y.O.U.

Chorus

And everythin' keeps getting better,

in love and in your debt forever

Never been a debtor so bound to be true

true to you

'Cause

I owe you

Instrumental

Verse 3

I owe you, wanna spend my whole life through

Loving you and only you

I.O.Y.O.U.

Say I do, say it and I'll say it too

I will do it all for you

I.O.Y.O.U.

Chorus

So every day, I'm more in love with you

In every way, can't get enough of you

gotta pay, credit where credit's due to you

due to you cause

Outro

I owe you (baby, baby)

I owe you (baby, baby)

I owe, I owe, I owe you

I owe, I owe, I owe you

I owe Y-O-U

---------------------------

Cinderella at Midnight

Verse 1

She said “I’ve been happier these past two years

than any other time that I’ve known.

Lord I was so lonely,

like life had disowned me

and now love won’t leave me alone.

It’s like all your daydreams compared to a dream

you dream in a bed far from home.”

He just said, “Be careful, ’cause dreams have no mercy.

They’ve got a life of their own.”

Chorus

And now she’s back on her own just like Cinderella at midnight

slamming down doubles alone in her singles bar

and as the clock turns to two oh there’s nothing you can do

but pick up the pieces of her heart.

Verse 2

It was all bought and paid for: a fancy church wedding,

a crystal-and-lace fairytale.

Now she sits on her floor with a dozen place settings

and a hundred invitations that will never be mailed.

A woman says yes but a man’s vow is maybe

that’s the truth about husband and wife

and no matter how far you think you’ve come baby

these jerks still play games with your life.

Chorus

And now she’s back on her own just like Cinderella at midnight

right before closing she’s back in her old singles bar

and at quarter to two oh there’s nothing you can do

but pick up the pieces of her heart

Yes she’s back on her own just like Cinderella at midnight

slamming down doubles alone in her singles bar

and as the clock turns to two oh there’s nothing you can do

but pick up the pieces of her heart.

Instrumental

Verse 3

She remembers her parents fighting one night;

her dad had been cheating again.

He said, “Dear, you came

to this world with your name

and acquired very little since then.

And if you divorce me you’re just gonna force me

to take all you think that you own—

this big house, that new car, your credit cards and checkbook

leave with me, and leave you alone.

Chorus

“And you’ll be back on your own just like Cinderella at midnight

keeping your double-chin up at some cheap singles bar,

and each man you bring home, in the morning he’ll be gone,

along with a piece of your heart.”

Girl you’re back on your own just like Cinderella at midnight

slamming down doubles alone in that singles bar,

and as the clock turns to two oh there’s nothing you can do

but pick up the pieces of your heart.

Yeah you’re back on your own just like Cinderella at midnight

slamming down doubles alone in that singles bar,

and as the clock turns to two oh there’s nothing you can do

but pick up the pieces of your heart.

---------------------------

Life After You

Verse 1

Left a note to say that

there’s just no way that

I’ll take this payback for always

And your off-and-on love,

your here-and-gone love,

manipulation and lies

Using guilt to get your way

that’s a cheap game I will not play

so go find a bigger new father figure     

that you can cut down to size

Chorus

’cause I’ve discovered

Life after you

there is another

Life after you

another lover

Life after you

I can do

Without you

Verse 2

Now the future’s bright

’cause I’ve seen the light

at the end of this tunnel of… “love”

and I’m making tracks

without looking back

putting all your black moods behind me

out of sight and out of mind

taking on whatever I find

cause my eyes are open, I'm done with coping,

I'm done with living life blind

Chorus

’cause I’ve discovered

Life after you

there is another

Life after you

another lover

Life after you

Gonna do

Without you

Instrumental

Bridge

It’s like a release and I’m feeling relief

better than I don’t know when

mind is at ease and I’m feeling at peace

yeah I’m feeling alive once again

Chorus

’cause I’ve discovered

Life after you

there is another

Life after you

another lover

Life after you

Got a new

Life after you

Chorus

Yes I’ve discovered

Life after you

there is another

Life after you

another lover

Life after you

I can do

Without you

Yes I’ve discovered

Life after you

there is another

Life after you

another lover

Life after you

I can do

Without you

---------------------------

The Real Real

Verse 1

So the folks who used to promise you

That you were something special

Aren't talking to you and it's got

You twisted like a pretzel

With your Gadsden flags and SS tags

The neighborhood's unsettled

So you're on a charm offensive

But the molly that you peddle

Is the topic that is top of mind

For those inclined to meddle

And they question if your marketing

Ain’t next-  but multi-level

So you get your ass right out of there

Your lead foot on the pedal

Make a mini tire fire

And you're blasting heavy metal

Swedish Nazis singing dirges

About dealing with the devil

And the bass is sweet and spicy

But there’s trouble with your treble

Whistle Dixie past the graveyard

But you're steaming like a kettle

You got everything all going South

That don’t make you a rebel

Chorus

Buckle up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Buckle up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Verse 2

Well you blew your college fund

Going in and out of rehab

And your dad got overleveraged

And the bank took all that he had

Now he's living west of bu-fu

And his crib is slab and prefab

And his girlfriend's big on TikTok

With her white girl grievance jihad

But she serves you on the sly

Wearing nothing but a hijab

And she's full of startup pitches

Cause she works in the police lab

So you fire up the engines

And start printing blotter sheet tabs

With some fetty for good measure

And some kickass THC dabs

But some kid dies in the ER

And shit's gone from bad to real bad

So your lawyer says you better start

Investing in some knee pads

 Chorus

Suck it up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Suck it up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Instrumental

Verse 3

You get turned in by your partner

Cause they traced her to the blotter

And they set a little trap

And they sprung it and they caught her

But you learn a little late

She’s an undersheriff's daughter

And she lays it all on you

and goes crying to your father

If you’re rich enough to matter

They would cut it to manslaughter

But your bank account's been wiped out

And your folks are underwater

And the Law's a big flea market

you got nothing left to barter

Your lawyer's quick to sell

What the DA puts on offer

So you're broke and in the pipeline

To be mayo prison fodder

Chorus

Pucker up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Pucker up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Pucker up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

Pucker up

Buttercup

Here comes the real real

 ---------------------------

911

Verse 1

9 a.m. on nine eleven

the skies are burning over Manhattan

sirens screaming, towers falling

and every voice is calling, calling

Chorus

911

calling 911

calling 911

calling out around the world

Verse 2

911 call nine eleven

a cry from raging hell to heaven

squads of grim-faced men come running

hold on, take heart, we are coming

Chorus

911

calling 911

calling 911

calling out around the world

Bridge

and when you think of them, remember -

they knew they were going to their deaths

they knew and they went anyway

we swear to you we won't forget

[2 beats of silence before resuming chorus]

Chorus

911

calling 911

calling 911

calling out around the world

Outro

911 calling  nine eleven

911 calling  nine eleven

911 calling  nine eleven

911 calling  nine eleven

911 calling 911 calling 911 calling 911 calling 911

---------------------------

At the End of the Day

Verse 1

Now the late afternoon sun

gently declines into evening

laughter and tears, when it’s all said and done

we rise as you take your leave

Verse 2

After the last song is sung

after the last words are spoken

we gather together, familiar again,

here at the end of the day

Bridge

At the end of the day

the years wash away

boundaries and certainties fade

silences deep and companionable

sustain when there’s no more to say

Oh at the end of the day…

Verse 3

Before we part ways again

Before we leave here this evening

All raise a glass and pledge love to the last

Here at the end of the day

Bridge

At the end of the day

the years wash away

colors and contours decay

silences deep and companionable

sustain when there’s no more to say

Oh at the end of the day…

Instrumental

Verse 4

Now as we part ways again

Now as we leave here this evening

All raise a glass and pledge love to the last

That gives what we need and not what we ask

The warmth that endures from the light that has passed

Here at the end of the day

Here at the end of the day

Here… at the end of… the day