Well, he's drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop,
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe
He had the DT's for breakfast, the shakes till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees

Well, he packed his guitar and his bar-room tan,
Gotta get some miles behind him as fast as he can,
Another destination, some place else to play

Well, he left a life behind him in some old trailer park
They tried to make it work; it was ruined from the start
He had to shake the rust, it became time to leave

It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play
His face feels like crazy pavement,
It's getting more lined every day

Well, he's gonna write a letter and try to explain,
She says he's too old to have these growing pains,
But something keeps him moving, living on through the night

But as the night approaches, a change is in the air,
His heart is pumping fast, he's got no cares
The music befriends him, it can take him anywhere

It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play
His mind feels like crazy pavement,
He's getting crazed out every day

Well, he's drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop,
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe

He had the DT's for breakfast, the chills till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees