[Chorus]
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home
Oh brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home

[Verse 1]
I am the captain of my pain
'Tis the bit, the bridle and the thrashing cane
The stirrup, the harness, and the whipping mane
The pickled eye and the shrinking brain
Brother, buy me one more drink, explain the nature of my pain, yeah
Let me tell you once again, I am the captain of my pain

[Chorus]
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home

[Verse 2]
I cannot blame it all on her, to blame her all would be a lie
For many a night I lay awake and wished that I could watch her die
See her accusing finger spurt, see flies swarm her hateful eye
To watch her groaning in the dirt, see her clicking tongue crack dry
Brother, buy me one more drink, one more drink and then goodbye
And do not mock me when I say let's drink one more before I die
[Chorus]
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home

[Verse 3]
I've been sliding down on rainbows, I've been swinging from the stars
Now, this wretch in beggar's clothing bangs his cup across the bars
Look, this cup of mine is empty, seems I've misplaced my desires
Seems I'm sweeping up the ashes of all my former fires
So brother, be a brother and fill this tiny cup of mine
And please, sir, make it whiskey, I have no head for wine

[Chorus]
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home

[Verse 4]
I counted up my blessings and I counted only one
One tiny little blessing and now that blessing's gone
So buy me one more drink, my brother, then I'm taking to the road
Yes, I'm taking to the rain and I'm taking to the snow
Oh my friend, my only brother, do not let the party grieve
Yeah, throw a dollar on the bar, now kiss my ass and leave
[Chorus]
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home
Brother, my cup is empty and I haven't got a penny
For to buy no more whiskey, I have to go home