Phil Ochs
Take It Out of My Youth
[Verse 1]
The young man was thirsty as I entered the back of the bar
The smoke held the air as the floating tables were scarred
In back of the counter, the man asked “what can I do?”
And all I could say was “one on the way, and take it out of my youth”
[Verse 2]
The voice on the jukebox was singing much more than a song
The magic of music picked up my mind it was gone
Caressed by a corner I sat in the shadows of blue
My glass quickly drained, I called out the name, and said “take it out of my youth”
[Verse 3]
My eyes wеre drawn to the dancers forsaking thеir days
Swaying and swirling they shook with the passions of play
In total abandon, the freedom of frenzy it grew
And just as before, I’ll have one more and take it out of my youth
[Verse 4]
The women were wearing the paint that covered their frowns
Fluid and flowing and formed in the loose-fitting gowns
Red lips were running, revealing much less than they knew
So I said to my friend “let’s do it again, and take it out of my youth”
[Verse 5]
And the sounds were obscene as the wine drop visions were blurred
As the hours escaped to dungeons of wet empty word
My mind was swimming in a sea too familiar to fool
So I gave him the sign, just one more time, and take it out of my youth
[Verse 6]
Now a toast to tomorrow as we dance on the fast-rolling logs
And a toast to today, as frustration is drowned in the fog
Lost to the world, lost to each other it’s true
The signal was down, just one more round, and take it out of my youth
[Verse 7]
And the world disappeared as though shot with a warm whiskey gun
As proudly we play and frolicked in desperate fun
The coal mine was laughing and waiting outside of the room
So here’s where I’ll stand, and drink to the damned, and take it out of my youth