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