What Have You Got to Lose - Tom T. Hall

Well, I’ve been in some bars

Where they serve it in big silver goblets and pewter and brass

And I’ve been in some joints

Where they serve it in paper cups and maybe an old water glass

But it’s always the same in the old drinking game

When you drink and you try to forget

One woman who loved you and another who didn’t

And I ain’t seen one winner yet

What have you got to lose

Try women and booze and the cigarette blues

What have you got to lose

Well, I’ve been in some towns with some high rollin heavies

And I know some unknown new stars

The big equalizer is a good drink of liquor

When they all belly up to the bar

Some cry for fame, some cry for money

And some people reach for the stars

But when a honky tonk heart starts crying for a honky tonk

You can’t get a word in edgewise

Now an old country boy just can’t sit on the porch

And watch while the world passed by

No, he’s got to be part of some social endeavour

So he gets him a jug and he tries

He’ll play that old jukebox and chase them old hides

About daylight come to in his room

When that sun’s coming up, he’s about halfway to hell

And about half way back home around noon