Just for greater clarity, I figure it’s good to have an accurate transcription of what John Prine actually recorded—


THAT'S THE WAY THAT THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND
Written by John Prine
As recorded by John Prine on “Bruised Orange” (1978)

1. I know a guy that's got a lot to lose.
He's a pretty nice fellow, kind o’ confused.
Got muscles in his head ain't never been used.
Thinks he owns half o’ this town.
Starts drinkin’ heavy, gets a big red nose,
Beats his old lady with a rubber hose,
Then he takes her out to dinner, buys her new clothes.
That's the way that the world goes 'round.

CHORUS: That's the way that the world goes 'round.
You're up one day, the next you're down.
It's a half an inch o’ water and you think you're gonna drown.
That's the way that the world goes 'round.

2. I was sittin’ in the bathtub, countin’ my toes,
When the radiator broke, water all froze.
I got stuck in the ice without my clothes,
Naked as the eyes of a clown.
I was cryin’ ice cubes, hopin’ I'd croak,
When the sun come through the window, the ice all broke.
I stood up and laughed, thought it was a joke.
That's the way that the world goes 'round. CHORUS

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK, REPEAT CHORUS.
That's the way that the world goes 'round.
That's the way that the world goes 'round.