[Verse 1] The Devil brought a contract bound in leather Said, “Seven years, then everything is mine” I read the little print and asked him whether “Everything” meant what I owned when I signed So I gave my gold away before the sunset Put my house and horse in somebody else’s name When seven years were up, he came to collect me I said, “Read it again—I never owned my name” [Pre-Chorus] He said, “You knew what I meant” I said, “That ain’t what you wrote” [Chorus] Three drinks ahead of the Devil Two moves ahead of his game One little hole in the bargain And I walk out owning my name He’s got forever to catch me I’ve only got tonight So pour another double And keep the back door in sight Three drinks ahead of the Devil And brother, I’m doing all right [Verse 2] A genie rose in smoke and offered wishes Said, “Name three things, and I will make them true” I said, “First, you’ll answer every question plainly And second, you’ll do exactly what I choose” Then I asked, “Will my last wish have a loophole?” He said, “Yes,” because the first forbade a lie So I said, “Then tell me how you’d twist the wording” And used his own advice to tie it tight [Pre-Chorus] He said, “That isn’t fair” I said, “You made the rules” [Chorus] Three drinks ahead of the Devil Two moves ahead of his game One little hole in the bargain And I walk out owning my name He’s got forever to catch me I’ve only got tonight So pour another double And keep the back door in sight Three drinks ahead of the Devil And brother, I’m doing all right [Verse 3] Then Death sat down beside me after midnight Set my hourglass beside a deck of cards Said, “Win one hand and I’ll give you till tomorrow Lose, and you come quietly when we part” I said, “Dealer chooses game,” and Death agreed it So I dealt one card apiece and called it high He drew an ace and grinned like he had won it I drew the joker, called it wild, and stayed alive [Bridge] Now the Devil wants his contract And the genie wants his due Death still keeps an empty chair And all three swear they’re coming through But every god and every monster Makes the same mistake in kind They think because they’re stronger They don’t have to read the lines [Final Chorus] Three drinks ahead of the Devil Two tricks ahead of the grave One clean clause from damnation And one good lie from being saved They’ve got forever to find me I’ve only got tonight So pour another double And leave the back door wide Three drinks ahead of the Devil Still laughing at the line If Hell wants what I promised Hell can prove that it was mine [Outro] Leave the bottle Kill the light Let forever knock till morning I’m busy here tonight
