What Have You Got To Lose

(album: Places I've Done Time - 1978)

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

[Chorus:]
What have you got to lose
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

[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus x2]