[Verse 1]
Well, I've been in some bars where they serve it in big silver goblets and pewter and brass
I've been in some joints where they serve it in paper cups and maybe an old water glass
But it's all 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?

[Verse 2]
Well, I've been in some towns with some high rolling 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 sky
But when a honky-tonk heart starts crying for a honky-tonk, you can't get a tear in edgewise

[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?

[Interlude]
[Verse 3]
Now, an old country boy just can't sit on the porch and watch while the world's going by
No, he's got to be part of some social endeavor, 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 halfway back home around noon

[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?
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?