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!..