The Drowning Man - Janis Ian

He said — grab any stool

Put your belly to the bar

I’m not such a fool

I know who you are

It’s been too many years

And not enough time

Have a cup of my tears

They’ve been watered with wine

I am the drowning man

I am the drowning man

There once was a girl

Every story starts that way

She lit up my world

Like a fireworks display

And the flame drew me near

But it frightened me more

So I met her with water

And I rained 'til I poured

Now I am the drowning man

I am the drowning man

I’m drowning in jiggers

And I’m drowning in smoke

I’m drowning in rivers

Where the fish gasp and choke

I have drowned my tomorrows

Just to drown out my past

Now I drown all my sorrows

At the bottom of this glass

'Cause I am the drowning man

I am the drowning man

I won’t die for money

And I won’t die for love

And I won’t die for beauty

Or the good Lord above

But I’ll die for a dream

Whose heart is engraved

In the rocks and the reefs

Of my watery grave

I am the drowning man

I am the drowning man