[Verse 1] Used to close this place down Now I’m yawning by ten Same old barstool story Told it ten times again Name that face on the jukebox? Swear I knew him back then Now I’m squinting at the label Like it’s written in code again [Chorus] Gotta pay the piper When the nights run out All those borrowed mornings Come marching back around You can bluff the dealer But the cards still count Gotta pay the piper When the lights start burning out [Verse 2] Knees sound like cheap doors Every step Little creak Doctor says “Cut back” I say “Maybe next week” Friends turned into photos Curled at the edge Talking to their faces With my hand on a glass like a pledge [Chorus] Gotta pay the piper When the nights run out All those borrowed mornings Come marching back around You can bluff the dealer But the cards still count Gotta pay the piper When the lights start burning out [Bridge] [Guitar leans into a loose Jangly hook Drums drop to rim clicks] Look at these hands Used to throw Used to lift Now they shake lighting candles For the years I missed Still tap on this table When that old song lands Yeah The tune keeps on changing But it’s playing in the same old hands (hey!) [Chorus] Gotta pay the piper When the nights run out All those borrowed mornings Come marching back around You can bluff the dealer But the cards still count Gotta pay the piper While we sing this last one out [Outro] [Band sways Crowd joins on the hook] Gotta pay the piper (oh, we’re paying now) Gotta pay the piper (as the bar lights come down)
