(Verse 1) The sun bleeds out on the rusted sign Her shadow’s already in line By the gates of that bitter, brick-bound shrine Yeah, she knows the keeper, and he knows she’s mine. But the woman I hold, the one I had, Got a thirst that’s turning the whole world bad. No way that whiskey-drinkin’ woman… Is not makin’ a poor man out of me. (Verse 2) Found a bottle rollin’ ‘neath our kitchen chair Another one tangled in her midnight hair Most times I see her now, she’s just… not there. A ghost in the kitchen with an empty stare. I don’t know where I stepped off that righteous path Just tryin’ to love her through the aftermath. But it sure unnerves me, watchin’ all her nerves dissolve at last. No way that whiskey-drinkin’ woman… Is not makin’ a poor man out of me. (Instrumental Break) (Banjo takes a snarling, minor-key solo, twisting the melody like a bad memory. The handclaps get louder, more desperate, like a heartbeat in a hollow chest. The jug bass drones on, inevitable.) (Bridge) Gotta solve this problem, find the key. The way things are goin’, she’ll drink the whole damn sea. She just stands there grinnin’, with a glass in each hand. I’m runnin’ out of ground on which to make my stand. Whiskey-drinkin’ woman… You’re not bleedin’ the life right out of me. (Verse 3) Maybe I should join her in that amber haze Meet my darlin’ in her crooked maze Trade my last dollar for a few lost days… But that’s just the devil talkin’ in a lonely phase. I love that woman, she’s the best I’ve ever had. But she’s married to a demon, and the demon’s gettin’ mad. No way that whiskey-drinkin’ woman… Is not makin’ a poor man out of me. (Outro) (Spoken, over fading, stubborn banjo and slowing handclaps) Yeah… closin’ time don’t mean a thing to her. The bar inside her head… it never shuts. And I’m just left here… payin’ the tab. For a love I can’t pour out… And a heart I can’t… have back. No way that whiskey-drinkin’ woman… Is not makin’ a poor man out of me! OH NO! NOT ME!
