Green Haze Blues

(Music starts with a gritty, blues-rock guitar riff and a heavy, slightly dragging drum beat. Vocals enter with a raw, slightly strained quality, full of weary resignation.) (Verse 1) Sunrise comes, a dirty yellow smear across the sky Another damn day just waitin' to make a good woman cry Bills on the table, a notice in my hand Just one more reason to damn this cruel, goddamn land Yeah, this life, it ain't no picnic, honey, truth be told Leaves you feelin' empty, worn out, and so damn old. (Chorus – building intensity, a raw edge enters the vocal, almost a snarl) Oh, this life! It's a motherfucker, ain't it, baby? Sucks your soul dry, leaves you shakin' and maybe... Maybe I just need that sweet green haze to burn! Just to help me through the lessons I ain't keen to learn! Yeah, a little puff, takes the edge right off the ache! Keeps me from goin' completely insane, for goodness sake! (Verse 2) Tried to love a man once, swore he was my only star Turned out he was just another pretty face behind a damn bar Drank my liquor, stole my heart, then he walked out the door Left me wailin' like a hound dog, beggin' for somethin' more Friends? They scatter like dust when the winter wind blows through Leaving me here with just my shadow, wonderin' what to do. (Chorus – even more raw, a slight vocal crack on a high note before regaining strength) Oh, this life! It's a motherfucker, ain't it, baby? (Ain't it, darlin'?) Sucks your soul dry, leaves you shakin' and maybe... Maybe I just need that sweet green haze to burn! (Yeah, lemme burn!) Just to help me through the lessons I ain't keen to learn! Yeah, a little puff, takes the edge right off the ache! Keeps me from goin' completely insane, for goodness sake! (Lord, insane!) (Bridge – Tempo might slow slightly, more reflective but still intense, building towards a vocal climax. Guitar gets a little dirtier.) Some folks preach salvation, talk about livin' free and a golden street But all I see is paved-over dreams and blistered feet. Workin' and slavin' 'til my hands are bruised and raw Just tryin' to find a little freedom from this rotten, human law! Got a heart that's heavy, a spirit torn and bleak Wish I could just disappear for a whole damn week! (Wails, long, drawn-out note with a slight growl and vibrato) YAAAHH-OHHHH! (Guitar Solo – Long, wailing, bluesy, distorted. Band picks up energy during the tail end, driving the rhythm harder.) (Chorus – Full throttle, ad-libs, almost shouting, backed by powerful drums and bass) OH, THIS LIFE! IT'S A MOTHERFUCKER, AIN'T IT, BABY?! (DAMN RIGHT, IT IS!) Sucks your soul dry, leaves you shakin' and MAYBE! Maybe I just need that sweet green haze to BURN! (LET IT BURN, LORD!) Just to help me through the lessons I ain't keen to learn! Yeah, a little puff, takes the edge right off the ACHE! (OH, THE ACHE!) Keeps me from goin' completely insane, for goodness SAKE! (INSANE! OH!) (Outro – music starts to slow and unravel, vocals become more conversational, fading out with a final, desperate plea) Yeah... just light it up... one more time... Another day, another damn fight... another uphill climb... Gotta find some kinda comfort in this long, dark night... (Coughs, a raspy, short laugh) Just a puff... little bit more... Till I can't feel it anymore... Oh, Lord... yeah... (whispers) Just disappears... (Guitar strums a final, distorted chord, feedback decays into silence.)