There's fifty-one reasons why you can't do what you want
You counted 'em up one day when your T.V. fell apart
While your picture of peace was layin' in pieces on the floor
You wondered what you're really living for
The walls are crusted with the remnants of the night
You feel on edge, like somethin' somewhere wants to fight
When silence burns a whole in who you think you are
You go down to the Cigarette Bar
You step so lightly as you stumble in the room
Nobody notices you're still in bloom
When you think you have an answer
But you drive an unmarked car
you sit down at the Cigarette Bar
down at the Cigarette Bar
All the regulars are regularly late
In perfect unison they sip their bourbon straight
Don't wanna' be one but you find it very hard
To get up and leave the Cigarette Bar
You drink to poverty and the wretched mess you're in
You laugh at jokes that wouldn't normally raise a grin
You drink and laugh until you don't know where you are
That's a good time at the Cigarette Bar
down at the Cigarette Bar
down at the cigarette Bar
(wife's part) Oh, I wonder where he could be
I toss and turn endlessly
I pray to God," Keep him safe
While wandering away."
down at the Cigarette Bar
down at the Cigarette Bar
You match your cigarette and you draw a little pain
You eye her over like a bowling pin
The warts are fading and the swamplands out of sight
Still you're walking home alone tonight
You step so lightly as you stumble in your room
Don't wanna' wake her 'cause alarm rings soon
It's instant-karma when the room begins to spin
She always seems to know where you've been
light another cigarette and don't forget your medicine down at the Cigarette Bar