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 D.T.'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 D.T.'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