[Intro - Spoken, deep gravelly voice] There's an old pub west of nowhere, Where the highway turns to sand. They say the devil pours the whisky... And he always deals the hand. [Verse 1] I was driving through the darkness, With a storm upon my heels. Saw a red light in the distance, Thought I'd stop and have a meal. There was thunder on the horizon, Not another soul in sight. Just a stranger in the doorway, Saying, "Come on in tonight." [Verse 2] There were shadows in the corners, And a fiddle playing low. Faces hidden underneath their hats, Of men I didn't know. The barman wore a black suit, With a silver-headed cane. Said, "You look like you've been running, From a lifetime full of pain." He poured a glass of whisky, Said, "The first one's on the house. Leave your troubles at the doorway, We don't speak of them down south." [Pre-Chorus] Then the fiddle stopped its playing, And the room fell deathly still. He pulled a deck of cards out, Said, "How about a little thrill?" [Chorus - Powerful, dark and driving] LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! WHERE THE LOST SOULS GATHER FROM NEAR AND FAR! THE WHISKY'S GOLD, AND THE NIGHT IS LONG, AND EVERY SINNER'S GOT A SONG! LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! YOU CAN RUN ALL NIGHT, BUT YOU WON'T GET FAR! THE DEVIL DEALS, AND THE DEVIL KNOWS... EVERY ROAD HAS A PLACE IT GOES! [Verse 3] He said, "I'll wager you tomorrow, Against the troubles of your past. Win this hand and walk away, And find some peace at last." Well, I thought about his offer, And the years I'd left behind. All the ghosts that kept me running, All the memories on my mind. So I pulled myself a chair up, And I looked him in the eye. Said, "Shuffle up those cards, old man, Let's see what fate decides." [Pre-Chorus] He dealt the cards out slowly, While the thunder shook the floor. And every shadow in that room Turned to watch us settle scores. [Chorus - Full band] LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! WHERE THE LOST SOULS GATHER FROM NEAR AND FAR! THE WHISKY'S GOLD, AND THE NIGHT IS LONG, AND EVERY SINNER'S GOT A SONG! LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! YOU CAN RUN ALL NIGHT, BUT YOU WON'T GET FAR! THE DEVIL DEALS, AND THE DEVIL KNOWS... EVERY ROAD HAS A PLACE IT GOES! [Instrumental - Dark fiddle and dirty slide guitar duel] [Bridge - Music drops to a slow heartbeat] I laid my cards upon the table, Four aces staring back. The devil smiled and raised his glass, Then slowly tipped his hat. He said, "Congratulations, stranger, You're the first to beat my hand. Now your past is gone forever, Just exactly as we planned." I laughed and grabbed my winnings, Said, "I reckon I'll be gone." He said, "Of course, enjoy your freedom... But there's something you've got wrong." [Breakdown - Deep spoken voice] "You wagered your tomorrow, For the troubles of yesterday. I've taken every memory... And sent them on their way." I said, "Then what's the problem? Sounds like I've won the game." He smiled and leaned in closer... "YOU NEVER ASKED WHAT TOMORROW MEANS." [Final Chorus - Explosive, darker and heavier] LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! WHERE THE LOST SOULS GATHER FROM NEAR AND FAR! THE WHISKY'S GOLD, BUT THE PRICE IS HIGH, AND EVERY WINNER PAYS TONIGHT! LAST CALL AT THE DEVIL'S BAR! YOU CAN RUN ALL NIGHT, BUT YOU WON'T GET FAR! THE DEVIL DEALS, AND THE DEVIL KNOWS... WHEN YOUR FINAL SUN GOES DOWN! [Outro - Slow, sinister, almost whispered] Well, I stumbled through the doorway, And the morning sky was red. Found my car beside the highway, But the road ahead was dead. I turned around to find the tavern, But the building wasn't there. Just an empty stretch of desert... And a whisper in the air. [Devil's voice - Spoken] "You won the hand, my friend..." [Long silence] "But I own every day you haven't lived." [Single church bell] [End]
