Sober Godless

I'd sing for you a song if I could carry a tune

Or even put two words together for a start

But I'm all at odds y'see, half the bloke I used to be

A tin man without his famous heart.

I once sported language that could strip the walls o' paint

And draw colour to the cheeks o' toughened crooks

I'd argue with the scholars 'til their words caught in their collars

And they scurried home to burn their precious books

Until I ran into a shadow & chased her down the alley

Where she had her way with me against a wall

Laid me with a curse that left me sober & godless

Saved my life and took away my soul.

I'd bend a ball around defenders, outrun the money lenders

And played pool like I were fightin bloody war

And if they fancied me at darts a trail o' broken hearts

Coulda led to me through any boozer door

One hand would carry tiles, lay concrete pipe for miles

While the other one was back fillin the trench

I could dead-lift a barrel, flog the arse aff 'bump

Er farrell'

All before this evil stole away my strength

I'd struggle; oh I'm sure if I only had a conscience

'Round hogmanay or march seventeen

Surely it’s a sin to be sober & godles

When half the bloody world is wearin' green

I’d sing a song of old, draw tears from a statue

And I wasnae one to spare the beast the rod

Tho’ I still feared the mystic powers of smoke & strong whisky

To lay me low before an angry God.

I'm like a ship without an anchor, no tenderness nor rancour

Doomed never to see heaven nor a hell

A ragged empty coat blowin' round these mortal streets

Until I find a way to lift this spell

No love, no hate, no substance, no weight

A jilted lover in an arsehole of a state!..