[Verse 1]
I broke free on a Saturday morning
I put the pedal to the floor
Headed north on Mills Avenue
And listened to the engine roar

[Verse 2]
My broken house behind me and good things ahead
A girl named Cathy wants a little of my time
Six cylinders underneath the hood crashing and kicking
Ahaha! Listen to the engine whine

[Chorus]
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me

[Verse 3]
I played video games in a drunken haze
I was seventeen years young
Hurt my knuckles punching the machines
The taste of Scotch rich on my tongue

[Verse 4]
And then Cathy showed up and we hung out
Trading swigs from a bottle all bitter and clean
Locking eyes, holding hands
Twin high-maintenance machines
[Chorus]
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me

[Verse 5]
I drove home in the California dusk
I could feel the alcohol inside of me hum
Pictured the look on my stepfather's face
Ready for the bad things to come
I downshifted as I pulled into the driveway
The motor screaming out, stuck in second gear
The scene ends badly, as you might imagine
In a cavalcade of anger and fear
There will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year

[Chorus]
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me