[INTRO] Rain on the high street, buses rolling slow Neon in the puddles and the winter hanging low Half past eight, like every night before The BoozeDog takes his corner stool beside the old front door [VERSE 1] Started on a Punk IPA, let the first one settle in Old black coat, tired boots, nicotine on his skin Young lads talking football, girls dressed sharp in black While the city spins a thousand miles, he never leaves his track The bartender knows his order before he says a word Outside the sirens rise and fall like some restless urban bird Hazy Jane and laughter, Elvis Juice on tap He watches all the bright-eyed dreamers fade into the map [PRE-CHORUS] Some came here to escape from all the city noise some came here for fun, a nightout with a friendly crowd, to lose themselves and feel as one But him — he came for stillness A kingdom made of glass Watching every year roll by Like smoke that never lasts [CHORUS] He’s the BoozeDog watching the world roll by Pint glass kingdom under sodium lights Faces fade but the taps still run Different ales but the game goes on He’s seen hearts break under barroom songs Seen whole streets vanish and the nights grow long Lost Lager nights till the morning sun Different ales but the game goes on [VERSE 2] Then came the boarded windows and the silence in the square Empty stools and dusty pumps and coldness in the air Rumours spread through taxi ranks — “the place is finally dead” The BoozeDog walked the riverside with those words still echoing inside his head But months rolled on and lights came back with newer names and signs Craft cans stacked like monuments to newer, faster times Fresh paint on the old brick walls, strangers at the bar But in the corner by the window sat the same old northern star [PRE-CHORUS] Now the beers all taste different And the music’s louder too The kids all pay by tapping phones He still pays cash and truth But every city needs someone Who remembers what has gone A witness to the changing tide When everybody moves on [CHORUS] He’s the BoozeDog watching the world roll by Pint glass kingdom under sodium lights Faces fade but the taps still run Different ales but the game goes on He’s seen first dates, fights and wakes Christmas tears and hangover shakes Lost Lager nights till the morning sun Different ales but the game goes on [BRIDGE] And maybe we’re all just passing through Like rain against the pane Trying to find one place on earth That still recalls our name One stool One light One bar that stays alive Long enough to make us feel Like we survived [FINAL CHORUS] He’s the BoozeDog watching the world roll by Last man laughing under closing time New management and younger tongues Different ales but the game goes on Raise a glass to the ones still there To worn-out coats and silver hair Every city leaves someone behind To guard the memory of another time [OUTRO] Rain on the high street, taxis glowing gold The BoozeDog drains the final drop And watches the night grow old
