Living on bread and wine was easy
For John and James and Mother Mary
But I'm no saint and that's my ball and chain
Cause when I'm passed that silver chalice
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 graveyards and sleeping in alleys
Telling myself the same old story
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's got you talking in circles again
It's an empty bottle we're 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 of 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 you're 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