LIAR ON THE WIRE [Verse 1] Liar, liar, dancing on a live wire, Every little alibi is begging for the fire. Tip your hat, take a bow, swear you don’t know how, But the devil’s got the ledger—and he’s reading from it now. [Pre-Chorus] How now, brown cow? Who’s the loudmouth now? Grinning through the smoke While the whole house tumbles down. [Chorus] Pants on fire—let the blackened choir Sing a little higher for the liar on the wire. Wine it, dine it, cross the crooked line, Kiss the judge upon the mouth and kindly pay the fine. Oh boy, oh boy, hear the dead men sigh, Oh me, oh my—what a lovely way to lie. [Verse 2] Sloppy-toppy, naughty-hoppy, dancing on the table, Selling penny prophecies and calling every fable. Powder up your nose and paint a pretty grin, Every door looks heavenly until the knocking starts within. [Pre-Chorus] What you wanna do now With the curtain coming down? When the saints have left the city And the wolves have come to town? [Chorus] Pants on fire—let the blackened choir Sing a little higher for the liar on the wire. Wine it, dine it, cross the crooked line, Kiss the judge upon the mouth and kindly pay the fine. Oh boy, oh boy, hear the dead men sigh, Oh me, oh my—what a lovely way to lie. [Verse 3] Pocketful of promises all stitched in scarlet thread, Feed one to the living, save the sweetest for the dead. Truth wears cheap perfume and waits behind the bar, Smoking your last cigarette—she knows exactly who you are. [Verse 4] Call the crooked doctor, call the limping priest, Tell them there’s a vacant chair reserved beside the beast. Bring a silver spoon and bring a golden knife, We’re serving up your secrets at the banquet of your life. [Bridge] Spin the wheel and deal again, Call the poison medicine. Raise the stakes and dim the light— Everything looks clean at night. One for mercy, two for sin, Three to let the circus in, Four for every vow you break, Five—the wire starts to shake. [Breakdown] How now, brown cow? Don’t get holy now. You can blame the moon, But she won’t tell you how. Sloppy-toppy, Naughty-hoppy, Wine it, Dine it, Cross that line— Go ahead And pay the fine. [Final Chorus] Pants on fire—hear the whole damn choir Singing hallelujah for the liar on the wire. Wine me, dine me, show me one last sign, Kiss me like you mean it while you’re paying off the fine. Oh boy, oh boy, hear the angels cry, Oh me, oh my—what a gorgeous night to die. Pants on fire—burn a little brighter, Everybody loves you when the noose is getting tighter. Round and round until the final bell, Take another bow and drag the audience to hell. [Outro] Liar, liar, Nothing left but smoke and wire. How now, brown cow? Who’s the punchline now? Oh boy, oh boy— Oh me, oh my. What a lovely, lonely, Lousy little lie.
