Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!

Subject: Lyr Add: WHITE WINOS (Loudon Wainwright III)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jan 08 - 07:15 PM

You can hear an archived radio program that contains this song: Click to play and then advance to 51 minutes, 30 seconds from the beginning of the sound file.

WHITE WINOS
Loudon Wainwright III

Mother liked her white wine when she was alive.
She was desperate to live, but her limit was five.
Carefully I'd kiss her, send her off to bed.
We always stuck with white wine. We stayed away from red.
Always stick with white wine. Stay away from—

Mother liked her white wine. She'd have a glass or two
Almost ev'ry single night after her day was through:
Sancerre, chardonnay, Chablis, pinot grigio,
Just to take the edge off, just to get the glow.
You've got to take the edge off if you want to get the—

Mother liked her white wine. She'd have a glass or three,
And we'd sit out on the screen porch, white winos, mom and me.
We'd talk about her childhood, recap my career.
When we got to my father, that was when I'd switch to beer.
We got to the old man and I'd always switch to—

Mother liked her white wine. She'd have a glass or four,
Each empty bottle a dead soldier. The marriage was no more.
When we blurred the edges, when we drank a lot,
That's when I got nervous, when the glow got hot.
I always get nervous when the glow gets—

I still like my white wine and I'll have a glass or two,
And when I'm down, I'll drink some whiskey. It's something I shouldn't do.
And ev'ry now and then I'll take a drop of red,
When I'm with a woman that I want to take to bed,
When I'm with a woman that I want to take—

Mother liked her white wine when she was alive.
She was desperate to live, but her limit was five.
Carefully I'd kiss her, send her off to bed.
Thank God we stuck to white wine and we stayed away from—
Mother liked her white wine.

[Recorded by Loudon Wainwright III on his album "Last Man on Earth," 2001. It's also featured in the soundtrack of the film "28 Days," and on the soundtrack album.]

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Jill
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 05:54 PM

What about "Goodbye Booze" and "Won't Get Drunk No More", on Alex Campbell's album Goodbye Booze.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jill

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DARK, SLENDER LADDIE / AS BEURLA
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 12:17 PM

There's a joke about, "What's the difference between a Drunk and an Alcoholic?", the answer being, "A Drunk doesn't have to go to the meetings..."; but, when I mentioned this in conversation with an alcoholic some years ago, he answered, "A Drunk enjoys it", so maybe it's not so funny after all. Anyway, bearing in mind this distinction, and what an earlier poster wrote about songs for Drinkers/Drunkards as distinct from songs for Alcoholics, how about the eighteenth-century song by Sean O'Seanachainn (Sean Aerach), which may be translated as "THE DARK, SLENDER LADDIE"? This version "As Beurla" is closely modelled on the translation by Donal O'Sullivan in his "Songs of the Irish", 1960.

When I'm at the market, some cloth to purchase,
And hold the earnest within my hand;
The dark, slender laddie still seeks and searches
Till he slips beside me, and there he'll stand.
It's not long after my senseless laughter
Will reach the rafters, so bright and bould;
And I'm tormented, for my money's spent, and
My clothes still unmended, and me sterved wi' could.

The "Buchaill Caol Dubh" is learned and charming,
Open-handed, of aspect fine;
And he has left me destroyed, he's bereft me
Of health and fortune, of land and kine.
Tho' I'd cross over the stormy ocean,
From the Port of Howth to Inis Mhor,
Swift as a swallow, my track he'd follow,
And by the morrow, he'd be on the shore.

Queen Aobhill of Thomond met us, roaming
Along the roadways, and to the lad said she,
Let him me abandon, and she would grant him
A hundred drunkards... instead of me.
Right firm and boldly, the laddie told her
He'd always hold to so close a friend;
For ever faring throughout all Erin,
My fortune sharing until the end.

This version keeps a bit closer to the Irish original than O'Sullivan's, and tries to preserve something of the internal rhyming and assonance characteristic of songs "As Gaelige". Cheers!

An Buachaill Caol Dubh.

Subject: Lyr Add: ALCOHOL (from The Kinks)
From: number 6
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 11:24 PM

This song has been mentioned up above ... as far as I'm concerned it's the best 'alcoholic' song I ever heard.

Alcohol ... by Ray Davies (the Kinks)
        
Here is a story about a sinner,
He used to be a winner who enjoyed a life of prominence and position,
But the pressures at the office and his socialite engagements,
And his selfish wife's fanatical ambition,
It turned him to the booze,
And he got mixed up with a floosie
And she led him to a life of indecision.
The floosie made him spend his dole
She left him lying on skid row
A drunken lag in some salvation army mission.
It's such a shame.

Oh demon alcohol,
Sad memories I cannot recall,
Who thought I would say,
Damn it all and blow it all,
Oh demon alcohol,
Memories I cannot recall,
Who thought I would fall a slave to demon alcohol.

Barley wine pink gin,
He'll drink anything,
Port, pernod or tequila,
Rum, scotch, vodka on the rocks,
As long as all his troubles disappeared.
But he messed up his life and he beat up his wife,
And the floosie's gone and found another sucker
She's gonna turn him on to drink
She's gonna lead him to the brink
And when his money's gone,
She'll leave him in the gutter,
It's such a shame.

Oh demon alcohol,
Sad memories I cannot recall,
Who thought I would fall,
A slave to demon alcohol.

biLL

Subject: ADD: I Likes a Drop of Good Beer
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 11:14 PM

This being Thanksgiving and a day for celebrating gluttony and such, maybe we need these words of inspiration from the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress.

IMPRINT
New York, New York: H. De Marsan
RELATED NAME(S)
Publisher: H. De Marsan
SHELF LOCATION
American Song Sheets, Series 2, Volume 1

I LIKES A DROP OF GOOD BEER.

One of Harry Pearson's Celebrated Comic Songs, as sung by H. C. WINTON, at his popular Social Scirées.

I'm Roger Rough, a ploughman,
A ploughman's son am I,
And like my thirsty feyther,
My throttle's always dry;
Let t' world go wrang, to me it's reet..
What need I interfere?..
I work and I sing from morn till neet,
And then I drinks my beer;
For, I likes a drop o' good beer, I does.
I'm fond of a drop o' good beer, I is;
Let gentlemen fine sit down to their wine,
But I likes a drop o' good beer, I does.

There's Sarah, that's my wife, sir,
Loves beer as well as me,
Who's the happiest woman in life, sir,
Who's happy as woman can be:
Who does her work, takes care t'bairns..
No gossiping neighbors near..
And, as every Saturday neet returns,
Like me, Sal drinks her beer;
For, Sarah likes her beer, she does;
She's fond on a drop of good beer, she is:
Let gentlemen fine sit down to their wine,
Sarah she likes her beer, she does.

There's my ow'd man, God bless him!
He's now turned eighty-five;
Hard work can never distress him,
He's the happiest chap alive;
He labors well, 'as gotten his health,
His heart and head is clear;
Possessed of these, he needs no wealth;
So he sings, and drinks his beer;
For, the ow'd man likes his beer, he does,
He's fond on a drop of good beer, he is:
Let gentlemen fine sit down to their wine,
But the ow'd man likes his beer, he does.

So, lads, need no persuasion,
But fill your glasses round;
We'll never fear invasion,
While barley grows i' th' ground;
Let discord cease, and joys increase
Wi' every coming year;
Possessed of these, and blessed wi' peace,
Why, we'll sing and we'll drink our beer;
For, we likes a drop of good beer, we does,
We're fond on a drop of good beer, we is;
Let gentlemen fine sit down to their wine,
But we likes a drop of good beer, we does


Stamped: 152


H. DE MARSAN, Publisher,
54 Chatham Street, New-York.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 11:53 PM

jOhn   O    joHn

Why are you missing from this thread?

The census zones, pizza deliveries, MC posting....have already revealed you as a "man of the bottle."

Surely, there are couple more unposted rhymes from the UK you and dredge up from that foggy memory.!!!

Sincerely, your once good friend - awaiting replies to multiple e-mails over a year ago.

Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Severn
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:29 PM

"The Drunken Driver"-Molly O'day, Stanley Bros, NLC Ramblers, among others

Just about every plot twist imaginable all in one glorious old time country weeper.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Severn
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:14 PM

I found an LP in a library sale recently by The American Music Group, a student chorus at ths U. of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)!?!?!
of nothing but temperance music, gleaned from the Womens Christian Temperance Union Francis Willard Library For Alchohol Research. The songs date from 1878-1939 and were taken from various publications and songbooks of the day, with such hits as "Tell Mother I'll Vote Dry", Wine is A Mocker" Lillie Of The Snowstorm" The Dead March Of The Saloon" and "When The Girls Can Vote". 24 Hits in all! Interesting, if quaint, stuff! Unfortunately, no lyric sheets included.

It's called "The American Music Group Volume 2 Temperance Music (LP 260-02) and came out in 1972. Their adress then was:


The American Music Group
PO Box 2866 Station A
Champaign, Illinois 61820.


This LP was one of a set of four I found. Volume 4 was of Sacred Harp music. Vol. 1 was Excerpts from The Young Folks Glee Book (1856)
and Vol. 3 was Solo songs w/ Four Part Chorus. Interesting period gems abound among the sometimes hokey and trite, but i just thought direct you to the biggest storehouse of anti-drink songs I know.


Back to the pub, everybody!!!

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 09:19 PM

I found this list posted at another forum: http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=2062844 (and I tidied it up a bit).

$500 Bottle of Wine (Fall)
A Drunk Can't Be a Man (Merle Haggard)
All That Wine Is Gone (Big Jay McNeely)
Alligator Wine (Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
Baptize Me in Wine (Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
Bartender's Blues (George Jones)
Beer Drinkin' Woman (Memphis Slim)
Bloody Mary Morning (Willie Nelson)
Blues in the Bottle (Holy Modal Rounders)
Booze in the Bottle (Carter Brothers)
Booze, Tobacco (Butthole Surfers)
Bottles and Barstools (Jerry Lee Lewis)
Buddy Stay off That Wine (Betty Hall Jones)
Champagne and Wine (Otis Redding)
Cocktails for Two (Art Tatum)
Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas (Commander Cody)
Daddy's Moonshine Still (Dolly Parton)
Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) (Loretta Lynn)
Don't Drink That Wine (NWA)
Don't Take My Whiskey Away (Wynonie Harris)
Down Where the Drunkards Roll (Richard & Linda Thompson)
Drink Too Much (Macka B)
Drink Up and Be Somebody (Merle Haggard)
Drinkin' by Myself (Wynonie Harris)
Drinkin' CV Wine (Howlin' Wolf)
Drinkin' Sherry Wine (Wynonie Harris)
Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (Jerry Lee Lewis)
Drunk Country (Midfield General)
Drunk on the Moon (Tom Waits)
Drunked Hearted Man (Robert Johnson)
Gin House Blues (Bessie Smith, Nina Simone)
Gin Soaked Boy (Tom Waits)
Give Me Yo' Most Strongest Whisky (Denise LaSalle)
Happy Hour (Ted Hawkins)
Heartaches and Hangovers (George Jones)
Heaven Was a Drink of Wine (Merle Haggard)
Hittin' the Bottle Again (John Lee Hooker)
Honky Tonk Song (George Jones)
Honky Tonk Wine (Jerry Lee Lewis)
I Ain't Drunk (Jimmy Liggins)
I Don't Wanna Sober Up Tonight (Merle Haggard)
I Drink and Gamble (James Brown)
I Gotta Get Drunk (George Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson)
I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink (Merle Haggard)
If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will) (George Jones)
I'll Give You Something to Drink About (George Jones)
I'll Leave the Bottle on the Bar (Merle Haggard)
I'm Not Drinking Any More (I'm Not Drinking Any Less) (Chris Wall)
Jockey Full of Bourbon (Tom Waits)
Last Orders (Fall)
Last Orders Please (Faces)
Me and My Gin (Dinah Washington)
Misery and Gin (Merle Haggard)
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (John Lee Hooker)
One for My Baby (Frank Sinatra)
One Mint Julep (Louis Prima, Clovers, Ray Charles)
Pink Champagne That Left Me Feeling Blue (Joe Liggins)
Quiet Whiskey (Wynonie Harris)
Red, Red Wine (Tony Tribe)
Sally, Where'd You Get Your Whiskey? (Reverend Gary Davis)
Sloppy Drunk Blues and Straight Alcy Blues (Leroy Carr)
Snake Bite (Denim)
Straight No Chaser (Thelonious Monk)
Streams of Whiskey (Pogues)
Sunday Morning Coming Down (Willie Nelson)
Sweet Was the Wine (Impressions, Persuasions)
Swinging Doors (Merle Haggard)
Tennessee Whiskey (George Jones)
The Bottle (Tammy Wynette)
The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea (Louvin Brothers)
The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) (Tom Waits)
The Price on the Bottle (Louvin Brothers)
The Warm Red Wine (George Jones)
There Stands the Glass (Jerry Lee Lewis)
Tom Drunk (U-Roy)
Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen) (Tom Waits)
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down (Merle Haggard, Elvis Costello)
Two More Bottles of Wine (Delbert McClinton)
Warm Beer and Cold Women (Tom Waits)
What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Jerry Lee Lewis)
Whiskey and Wimmen (John Lee Hooker)
Whiskey in the Jar (Thin Lizzy)
Whiskey Made Me Drunk (Rosco Gordon)
Whiskey River (Willie Nelson)
White Lightnin' (George Jones)
Why Am I Drinkin' (Merle Haggard)
Wine Spodee-O-Dee (Lightnin' Hopkins)
Wine Wine Sweet Wine (Wynonie Harris)
Wine Women and Rock 'n' Roll (Swamp Dogg)
Wino the Clown (George Jones)
Yesterday's Wine (George Jones)
You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk (Pet Shop Boys)

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Davetnova
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 03:14 AM

to the tune Love Me Tender

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: MAG
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 12:05 PM

Van Morrison also did one about working the 12 steps -- can't remember the name of the recording off the top of my head.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: thespionage
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:06 AM

Although not a folk song, "Master of the House" from Herbert Kretzmer's English translation of the pop opera Les Misérables is great on the topic of drinking.

Russ

Subject: Lyr Add: GOD LOVES A DRUNK (Richard Thompson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 11:13 PM

Mentioned by Oggie above:

Lyrics copied from MySongBook.de

GOD LOVES A DRUNK
(Richard Thompson)

Will there be any bartenders up there in Heaven?
Will the pubs never close? Will the glass never drain?
No more D.T.s and no shakes and no horrors,
And the very next morning you feel right as rain.

But God loves a drunk, the lowest of men,
Like the dogs in the street and the pigs in the pen;
But a drunk's only trying to get free from his body,
And he soars like an eagle high up there in heaven,
And his shouts and his curses are just hymns and praises
To kick-start his mind now and then.

God loves a drunk. Come raise up your glasses. Amen.

Does God really care for your life in the suburbs?
A dull little life full of dull little things,
And bring up the babies to be just like Daddy,
And maybe you'll be there when He gives out the wings.

But God loves a drunk, although he's a fool,
And he wets in his pants, and he falls off his stool,
And he can't hear the insults and whispers go by him
As he leans in the doorway and sings 'Sally Rackett',
And he can't feel the cold rain beat down on his body
And soak through his clothes to the skin.

God loves a drunk. Come raise up your glasses. Amen.

Will there be any pen pushers up there in Heaven?
Does clerking and wage-slaving win you God's love?
I pity you worms with your semis and pensions
If you think that'll get you to the kingdom above.

But God loves a drunk, although he's a clown,
And you can't help but laugh as he gags and falls down,
And he don't give a curse for what people think of him,
And he screams at his demons alone in the darkness.
He's staying alive for just one more pint bottle.
Won't you throw him a few pennies, friend?

God loves a drunk, for ever and ever. Amen.

(As sung by Norma Waterson)

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Enderby
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:52 PM

'Yes I guess they oughta name a drink after you' by John Prine from Diamonds in the Rough.

'Farewell to Whiskey' sung by Dave Gaughan, don't know who wrote it though....

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Brandy
Date: 29 Jan 05 - 01:27 AM

Don't forget "...HAVE SOME MADEIRA, M'DEAR...
It's surely much better than beer...."
B!

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 11:33 PM

Carrickfergus and NOTTINGHAM ALE

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WINE SONG (Grant Baynham)
From: JennyO
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 10:56 PM

"The Parting Glass" a song for alcoholics? That's stretching it a bit!

Now here's one I have posted before. It's about getting drunk, and it's very funny. I think it's worth adding to this thread:

THE WINE SONG

by Grant Baynham   

There are those who like their wine
Because it adds sophistication
To that hearty meal they're serving to their friends.
And there are those who like their wine
Because it helps in the creation
Of that party feel on which so much depends.
And there are those who'd like their wine
To come from eastward-facing chateaux
On the plateaux of Lorraine and all that bunk
But their motives are not mine
And I like lots and lots of wine
And I like it 'cos it makes me drunk.

There are those who take a glass
Because it helps them to relax
They find it helps their social manner to improve
Well, that's a jolly useful scheme
Which I have taken to its logical extreme:
I sometimes get so well-relaxed I can't move
And there's another kind of fellow
Drinks champagne to make him mellow
And he swears by Cliquot, Bollinger and Brut
Well, I tried some Brut meself
I found it on the bathroom shelf
And he was right: it got me mellow as a newt.

You can judge your wine by the quality of the vine,
Its colour and bouquet and all that junk.
But it all comes back to the falling over factor
And the fact that it gets you drunk.

There are those who like to think
That it's important what you drink
They haven't got an inkling what it's all about
They spend their evenings wasting
Decent drinking time by tasting
Drops of this and that, then spitting it all out.
They pass along the tables
Strewth, they even read the labels
Muttering things like, "What a shame
The cork has shrunk"
Or "fruity nose" or "too much tannin"
When they ought to get a man in
Who appreciates the chance to get drunk.


They waste their time describing
What they ought to be imbibing
Which is wine of course, although you'd never think it.
'Cos they use words like "young but promising, "
"Precocious," "full of fun";
You'd think they were going to adopt the stuff
Not drink it.
And at a meal these silly asses
Have a row of empty glasses
A different wine with every dish they eat.
Me, I mix whatever's handy
In a stiff, all-purpose shandy
Which goes very nice with fish or Shredded Wheat.

You can judge your wine by the quality of the vine
Its colour and bouquet and all that junk
But it all comes back to the falling over factor
And the fact that it gets you drunk

And there are those who take delight
Pronouncing all the labels right
They roll their r's and do those German glottals.
Me, I couldn't give a monkey's
'Cos the stuff for getting drunk is
On the inside not the outside of the bottles
So if you have a cheese and wine
Invite your friendly Philistine
Call me drunkard, call me sot
Or call me wino. What do I know?
You'll find me in the kitchen
I'll be giggerlin' and twitchin'
Having a sup and throwing up
Across your lino

You can judge your wine by the quality of the vine
Its colour and bouquet, if you insist…
But it all comes back to the falling over factor
And the fact that it gets you
Misty-eyed and mellow, gets you
Maudlin, mawkish, miserable and PISSED!

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 07:56 PM

Forgive me if I list any already cited, but I think these are new to this thread.

Whiskey You're the Devil, The Parting Glass - easiest found by Clancy Bros.. who also recorded any number of other good boozers, as did Patrick Galvin, A.L.Lloyd and others from the eastern side of the water.
Cruiskeen Lawn
Let Her Sleep Under the Bar
No More Booze - it's in Sandburg, maybe as Fireman Save My Child
The Stout Family (Glorious, Glorious)
Quartermaster's Corps
Never Get Drunk No More...

and also the classic recitation, "Last Night I Decided To Give Up Drinking," which was recorded in a shortened and somewhat dulled-down version by Johnny Bond as TEN LITTLE BOTTLES.

However, I agree, we're largely suggesting songs for drinkers and drunks. Songs for alcoholics per se is a much different and more disenchanted group. What about "Morning-After" songs? "Kicking-the-Habit" songs? More to the point, what exactly IS a "song for alcoholics" apart from drinking & drunk songs?

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 07:30 PM

Fogie - the song you might want is 'Whiskey, you're the devil'

And while I'm here, my favourite alcosong is Loudon Wainwright's WINE WITH DINNER.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 07:23 PM

Add in the Irish cautionary tale "THE JUICE OF THE BARLEY".

and Mike Harding's "I ain't Gonna Drink No More", which expresses the results in a tight little chorus:-

Hughie Hughie Hughie Hughie, Ruth Ruth Ruth,
Hughie Hughie Hughie Hughie, Ruth Ruth Ruth,
Oh man, I ain't gonna drink,
I ain't gonna drink no more.


Don T.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,DHL
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 02:26 PM

Richard Thompson wrote a song called "God Loves a Drunk" Norma Waterson sings it on a solo album. Not sure of the CD name but it can be located on the Waterson/Carthy website.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: fogie
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 01:02 PM

Len Graham sung a good song called "whisky o whisky" youve led me astray- anybody got the words

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 07:11 PM

Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down

Subject: Lyr Add: ALKIE'S LAMENT
From: Wrinkles
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 02:07 PM

Rather than being about "songs for alcoholics," this thread seems on the whole more like "drinking songs," so I thought I'd redress the balance with this little number I wrote about my recovery from alcoholism. It's got a bluesy/country feel to it.

ALKIE'S LAMENT

1. I woke up in this hospital bed.
All I know is the pain in my head.
Don't know how I got here; don't know how I came.
I'm back in the DT ward again.
Maybe I was busted after a fight,
Or a Samaritan's kindness to me in the night.
Who really knows? Who gives a damn?
I've ended up here all the same.
The doc says I'm dyin'.
She says she's quite sure
If I don't quit the drinkin', I'll be dead for sure.
Gives me an injection then puts me right out of her mind.

[Refrain:] And Lord, I miss my mama, and I want my teddy bear.
But both were lost, long time ago. They're memories in the air;
And Lord, I feel like dyin' but I don't wanna die alone,
Yet I've never found a single place that feels like I belong.

2. My bed is awash with my blood and my sweat.
I shake with a violence that ain't over yet.
My bowels and my belly don't know they are mine,
And my eyes cannot focus no more;
But I can still see the contempt in their eyes.
I put on a brave face but I wanna cry
When I hear, "Trash from the gutter," "an alkie," "a drunk."
Truth hurts when it burns in your ears.
For God knows I've tried, ten times or more,
But when each day before me's a tedious chore,
I only pass though it by drownin' my pain
And runnin' away from the night.

[Refrain]

3. I lie here and wonder what's worth livin' for
And remember the days when I was so young and sure.
Before I found my bottle, my treacherous friend,
Who steals while he's takin' away.
Now the junkies and whores look down on me
And the hobos avoid my company,
And even this place says I've blown my last chance,
And they will not treat me again.
Dear God, one more chance! I'll try very hard
If you can forgive me all my false starts.
Lord, I don't wanna die, with all that I've done,
Still hangin' guilty on me.

[Final refrain:] And Lord I miss my mama, and I want my teddy bear.
But both were lost, long time ago. They're memories in the Air;
And Lord I feel like dyin' but I don't wanna die alone,
Yet I've never found a single place that feels like I belong.
Yet I've never found a single place that feels like I belong.

FINIS

And lest I be accused of being a downer I'll share this little ditty I learned from that great tunemaster Osmosis;

I wish I could drink like a Lady,
But I can only have two at the most.
Three puts me under the table,
And four puts me under the host!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Snuffy
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 09:52 AM

Supersearch is down, but I think the Kipper Family's Are You Dry may be in the Cat somewhere

Are you dry? Are you dry?
Or will you go to hell where you will fry?
We are the little troop
Who will make the brewers droop
When they hear our battle cry
Are you dry?

Subject: Lyr Add: I AM NEVER GOING TO DRINK AGAIN
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 02:56 AM

Merle Haggard's "THE BOTTLE LET ME DOWN" is probably my favourite song about a compulsive drinker. I also like a song called "Sick, Sober and Sorry," of which I have a recording by Sourdough Slim and Blackie. My own offering, "I Am Never Going To Drink Again," has regrettably not been taken up by the temperance movement.

I AM NEVER GOING TO DRINK AGAIN

Oh what a horrible feeling! I can hardly move my head.
My mouth is dry. I've got two red eyes. I fear I'm almost dead.
But at least that's some improvement – if my legs don't give.
In my neck, at last there's movement,
And I'm no longer scared I'll live...but

        I'm never going to drink again.
        I'm never going to drink again.
        Can't move me head. It feels like lead.
        It gives me too much pain.
        I'm never going to drink again.
        I'm never going to drink again.
        So until tonight when a pub is in sight,
        I'm never going to drink again.

The alarm clock has started drilling a hangover into my brain.
I'm going to smash it, then, God willing,
I'm going back to sleep again.
But first a couple of aspirin – I think I'll take before....
Excuse me now. I'm gasping.... I think I'm going to ... once more

        I'm never going to drink again.
        Can't move me head. It feels like lead.
        It gives me too much pain.
        I'm never going to drink again.
        I'm never going to drink again.
        So until tonight when a pub is in sight,
        I'm never going to drink again.

Last night has just about cured me. it pushed me over the edge.
I don't know how my girlfriend endured me.
I think I'll sign the pledge.
(spoken) No, I won't go that far.
From now on, I'll drink in moderation,
For my symptoms have gone down.
That calls for a small celebration,
So tonight I'll hit the town.

        I was never going to drink again.
        Couldn't move me head. It felt like lead.
        It gave me too much pain.
        I was never going to drink again.
        I was never going to drink again.
        So until tonight when a pub is in sight,
        I'm never going to drink again.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 01:32 AM

And BOTH at the same end of the year...

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 07:01 PM

Looks like we just missed St Vincents day (22 Jan). According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable he is the patron saint of drunkards. This being a very arduous office, he has to share it with St Martin, who took on the task because his day (Nov 11) was formerly the Vinalia or feast of Bacchus.

Who but us drunkards could deserve two patron saints, and hence two golden excuses for a piss-up?

Subject: Lyr Add: FOU THE NOO (Harry Lauder)
From: Bert
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 12:32 PM

Here's a good one from the Sir Harry Lauder website

"Fou the Noo"
or (Something In The Bottle For The Morning)
by Gerald Grafton and Harry Lauder


I just come frae a weddin', or a fun'ral,
A christ'nin' or somethin' of the kind,
And the stuff that I've been drinkin' took my noodle,
And to what or where I've been I can na mind.
I feel as brave as any highway robber;
I've the courage of a dozen men the noo;
I'm a miserable devil when I'm sober
But I'm very, very happy when I'm fou!

CHORUS: And I'm fou the noo! absolutely fou!
But I adore the country I was born in.
My name is Jock McGraw and I dinna care a straw
For I've somethin' in the bottle for the mornin'
And I'm fou the noo! absolutely fou!
But I adore the country I was born in.
My name is Jock McGraw and I dinna care a straw
for I've somethin' in the bottle for the mornin'!

2. If ye take a Five Pound Note to light your pipe with;
If ye think a bassinette's a motor car;
If ye lift the doormat up to wipe your nose with,
If you're in your hoose and don't know where you are;
If you kiss a policeman and say "Hoo dearly,
My dearest darlin' pet hoo, I love you"
Well then that denotes conclusively and clearly.
That, like me, ma freen's, yer absolutely fou! CHORUS

3. I felt quite mad when coming roon the corner,
A lamp post struck me richt between the eyes!
Ma blood got up I wanted to be fighting,
Because the thing did not apologize.
Just after that I tumbled oe'r a doorstep,
"Thieves!" "Murder!" and "Police!" I cried,
but I'm goin' to make the owner compensate me,
for his negligence in leaving it outside.

Patter (spoken) Yes, but at the same time the burnin' question is , when is a man fou? Eh? Of course, the cheaper the whiskey, the greater the burnin' question. The wife will swear whe I go home that I've been drinkin'. Would you notice I've been drinkin', eh? As I was comin' along the street th' noo, I met a half-cousin of the wife's : you "know one of these Dr. Dowie-chaps". said he "John! I'm surprised at you. are you aware the wicked stand on slippery places?"
"Well!" said I, "you should be just like me - keep slidin' along, and there's no fear of you"
Said he, "You are not fit for any society!"
Said I, "That's a lie the wife has me in the Prudential."
Ya see th' bird I've got in ma hand? (holding chicken up by the neck). D'ye know the way I got it? Ma hat blew off and I chased this for half-an-hour!

CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: GOOD LIQUOR GONNA CARRY ME DOWN (Broonzy)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 09:43 AM

Transcribed from the sound file at Public Domain 4U: (Broonzy is backed up by some great blues piano on this recording.)

GOOD LIQUOR GONNA CARRY ME DOWN
(Bill Broonzy)

Now, I knowed a little girl 'bout sixteen years ol'.
She said, "Bill, stop drinkin' an' I will satisfy your soul,"
But I just keep on a-drinkin'. Yes, I keep on drinkin'.
Yeah, I just keep on a-drinkin' till good liquor carry me down.

Now, my woman told me, 'bout fifteen years ago,
"Bill, you gon' drink one these mornin's an' you'll never drink no mo',"
But I will just keep on a-drinkin'. Yes, I keep on drinkin'.
Yeah, I just keep on a-drinkin' till good liquor carry me down.

Now, I wake up in the mornin' hold'n' a bottle tight.
When I lay down at night, Mama, just a gallon out of sight, (?)
Because I just keep on a-drinkin'. Yes, I keep on drinkin'.
Now, I just keep on a-drinkin' till good liquor carry me down.

Yes, I went to the doctor with my head in my hands.
The doctor said, "Big Bill, I think I'll have to give you monkey glands,
Because you just keep on a-drinkin'." Yes, I keep on drinkin'.
I'm 'onna keep on a-drinkin' till good liquor carry me down.

Now, my woman tol' me to stop drinkin', an' come on home.
Say, "If you don't, Big Bill, some other man gwine carry your business on."
But I'm just gwine to keep on a-drinkin'. Yes, I'm 'on' keep on drinkin'.
I'm just gwine to keep on a-drinkin' till good liquor carry me down.

[The dialect fascinates me. This is one of very few instances where I've actually heard the word "gwine." Notice how many other ways he pronounces "going to" – gon', 'onna, 'on'. I didn't try to represent these pronunciations in the text because I thought it would be too confusing: "Now" is pronounced "nowd." "Carry" is one syllable: "car'."

[Broonzy's recording is available on several collections. Also recorded by Paul Geremia on "Gamblin' Woman Blues."]

Subject: Lyr Add: DANNY FARRELL (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST,annemc
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 04:38 AM

This song is seriously about the alcoholic:

DANNY FARRELL (by Pete St. John)

I knew Danny Farrell when his football was a can
With his hand-me-downs and Welliers and his sandwiches of bran;
But now that pavement peasant is a full grown bitter man
With all the trials and troubles of his travelling people's clan.

CHORUS: He's a loser, a boozer, a me and you user,
A raider, a trader, a people police hater.
So lonely and only, what you'd call a gurrier,
Still now, Danny Farrell, he's a man.

I knew Danny Farrell when he joined the National School.
He was lousy at the Gaelic. They'd call him amadán - a fool.
He was brilliant in the toss school by trading objects in the pawn.
By the time he was an adult, all his charming ways had gone.

I knew Danny Farrell when we queued up for the dole,
And he tried to hide the loss of pride that eats away the soul.
But mending pots and kettles is a trade lost in the past.
"There's no hand-out here for tinkers," was the answer when he asked. CHORUS

I still know Danny Farrell, saw him just there yesterday
Taking methylated spirits with some winos on the quay.
Oh, he's forty going on eighty, with his eyes of hope bereft,
And he told me this for certain: there's not many of us left. CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: THE REEL OF THE FLICKERING LIGHT (Moore)
From: GUEST,annemc
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 04:31 AM

As mentioned in a thread above - the hallucinations of an alcoholic. Song by Christie Moore.

THE REEL OF THE FLICKERING LIGHT

As I was walkin' home one evenin'--
I know this takes some believin'--
I met a group of creatures
With the strangest lookin' features:
A poor old dog with a worm and a weed,
And a fine old pigeon, yes indeed.
Daddy Longlegs jumped up sprightly
And danced a reel of the flickering light.

CHORUS: Oh, round we go, heel to the toe.
Daddy Longlegs jumped up sprightly,
And danced in the reel of the flickering light.

On his thin and wispy spindles,
He was deft and he was nimble.
His eyes were scientific,
And his dancin' was terrific.
The rats and the worms they made a din,
And the nettles in the corner took it in.
"Oh, God!" says I. "Tonight's the night.
We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light." CHORUS

Then he looked at me directly
With a gaze that could dissect me,
And he asked me in a whisper,
"Have you got any sisters?"
"Good God Almighty!" says I to him.
"What sort of a man do you think I am?
I've only one and she's not your type.
She wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light." CHORUS

Says he, "Does she come from another planet?
Does she have a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties?
You never know we might be suited."
And the rats and the worms began to laugh
And some of them started shufflin' off.
"We're going to have some fun tonight
Gettin' ready for the reel in the flickering light." CHORUS

I could see he had no scruples
When I looked into his pupils.
They were purple or magenta
Like a statue during Lent.
I said, "I'll get her right away."
"Good man," says he. "Now don't delay.
We're goin' to have some fun tonight."
Then he flipped his legs in the flickering light. CHORUS

Then up stepped a red carnation
And they gave her an ovation.
She was warm and enchantin'
As she slowly started dancin',
And the bright auld pigeon peeled his eye,
And the nettles and the weeds began to sigh.
Daddy Longlegs said, "My, oh my!
Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?" CHORUS

She was gentle, she was charmin',
And I heard him call her Darlin'.
He was graceful as a whisper
On his delicate legs of silver,
And the rats and the worms were still as mice,
And the poor auld pigeon said, "That's nice:
A shimmering veil of a lovely bride."
And they danced to the reel in the flickering light. CHORUS (x2)

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 09:52 PM

"SEVEN BEERS WITH THE WRONG WOMAN" is one I like to sing.

And Bennett Hammond wrote a good anti-drinking song that I disremember except for the line in the first verse about how drinking songs would be more true-to-life "if they mentioned pissing on your shoes."

Bob

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 12:20 PM

Loudon Wainwright IIIs 'White Winos'... Off his album, The Last Man on Earth....

"Sunday AM Coming Down", from Kris Kristofferson... the best hangover song ever

Subject: Lyr Add: WHILE I WAS OUT A DRINKING (from Bodleian
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 10:07 AM

I ran across this while looking for something else, and I found it so charming, I thought I'd add it here. If you want to sing it, I suppose you'll have to work up your own tune.

From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, Harding B 11(4149)

WHILE I WAS OUT A DRINKING
Pitts, Printer toy Warehouse 6 Grea[t] St Andrew streeter [sic], 7 Dials [London]
[between 1819 and 1844]

On Monday morning, I rose at eight
And in a queerish raking.
The over [?] night I'd been out late.
I found my head was aching.
"Old girl," says I, "I'm rather queer.
I feel my spirits sinking."
Says she, "I hope today, my dear,
You won't go out a drinking."

CHORUS: Whiddlem twiddlem, diddlee diddlem
Whacky ti wheedle, whoedle.

"Depend," said I, "by all above,
I mean to keep quite steady.
I'll go and have a cooler, love,
While you get breakfast ready."
But when I got unto the fleece,
I met my cousin Jenkin.
We had two goes of rum apiece.
Thinks I, this looks like drinking.

Now when I'm out upon the fly,
I never care for victuals.
Says I, "I know a ground just by.
Let's have a game at skittles."
But though he did begin to chaff,
I floor'd the pins like winking.
I won six pots of half-and-half
While I was out a drinking.

Now, having knock'd the pins about
For heavy and blue ruin,
My gentle creature found me out.
I heard the storm a brewing.
She said, while giving me such cracks
That set my eyes a winking,
"I'll sarve you out, my cock-o-wax,
For going out a drinking."

Misfortunes seldom comes alone,
And that you are aware of,
And so I think with me you'll own
That day I had my share of.
My nose had got a woeful knotch
And both my eyes were blinking.
Besides, some rascals stole my watch
While I was out a drinking.

But mark: my troubles didn't end
By losing of my ticker.
I in the station house got penn'd,
Being for the worse for liquor.
In a dirty hole they shov'd me down,
So dirty, dark and stinking.
Next morn, they made me drop a crown
For going out a drinking.

Now all you that take a drain at night,
Oh, take this friendly warning:
Keep out of the policemen's sight
Or you'll have to tip next morning.
But if you must go on the spree,
Away from business shrinking,
I wish you better luck than me
When you go out a drinking.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,IB
Date: 16 Jul 02 - 06:01 AM

Red Wine and Promises by Lal Waterson

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,northfolk/whose cookie has crumbled
Date: 15 Jul 02 - 07:46 PM

The lyric I find most poignant is from a song by Charlie King on his "FOOD, PHONE, GAS and LODGING", album... [He Couldn't Let Go]... listen and see if you don't see a friend....

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Joe_F
Date: 15 Jul 02 - 06:48 PM

"Chevaliers de la table ronde" (in the DT) expresses the wish to be buried in a wine cellar, two feet against the wall & head under the spigot.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILDCATS HOWLIN' (Glen Reid)
From: GUEST,Glen Reid
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 07:36 PM

Here's an excerpt from the chorus of a song I wrote and recorded, called "WILDCATS HOWLIN'." Tongue in cheek!

In the shadow of the moonlight
In the glow of the firelight
Cooking up the moonshine, so fine
And we run a little brew
And we sip a little brew...

Hey look at the fire, its brimstone burnin'
What's that smell, the breath of Satan?
Well you work that still, through the night
Cook that brew, 'n' hear the cries of the...

Wildcats howlin' in the pale moonlight
Wildcats screamin' in the quiet of the evening
Devil in the brew, and we drink to the demons
And the god-awful howlin' in the quiet of the moonlight

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Malachy
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 06:52 PM

Rich (stupidbodhran) just reminded me of 'Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Xmas'. My sister and I used to sing it around Christmas time as a bit of a piss-take.....but it used to go down really well. What about Squeezes'....'When The Hangover Strikes'? Not very folky tho....and maybe alcoholics dont get hangovers......

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Leeder
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 03:10 PM

"AS USUAL" is on Hamish Imlach's recording "Ballads of Booze", although it appears he didn't write it.

A whole CD devoted to what you're looking for...

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Leeder
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 03:05 PM

Hamish Imlach wrote one with the refrain "As usual!". I don't know if hat was the title or not. I'll go looking. Hamish wrote of what he knew, I'm sure.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 02:27 PM

"They Oughta Name a Drink After You" - John Prine

"I GOTTA GET DRUNK (AND I SURE DO DREAD IT)" - Willie Nelson

"One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" - George Thorogood

"I Like Beer (It Makes Me a Jolly Good Fellow)" - Tom T. Hall

And there's the verse in Si Kahn's "Wild Rose of the Mountain":

Whiskey from that white oak barrel, sure do make good liquor
Makes the night seem twice as bright and the day go by much quicker

Bruce

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: masato sakurai
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 01:45 PM

Look at the cover illustration of Papa, Don't Drink Any More, written by Arthur W. French and music by Chas. D. Blake (1874) (Also at Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, 1870-1885).

~Masato

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL
From: allanwill
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 05:43 PM

Someone mentioned a Richard Thompson song earlier on. Here's another of RT's.

DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL
Richard Thompson
Transcribed by Phil Saunders

(Capo 3rd fret to play with record. Song is recorded in Bb, but written here in G)

G
  See the boys out walking
      C                G
  The boys who look so fine
  C                   G
  Dressed up in green velvet
  C                    G
  Their silver buckles shine
  G
  Soon they'll be bleary-eyed
  D              C
  Under a keg of wine
  
  CHORUS
  C/G                      D
  Down where the drunkards roll
  C/G                      D
  Down where the drunkards roll

See that lover standing
Staring at the ground
He's looking for the real thing
Lies were all he found
You can get the real thing
It will only cost a pound

There goes a troubled woman
She dreams a troubled dream
She lives out on the highway
She keeps her money clean
Soon she'll be returning
To the place where she's the queen

You can be a gambler
Who never drew a hand
You can be a sailor
Who never left dry land
You can be Lord Jesus
All the world will understand

Allan

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: GUEST,Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 05:19 PM

Robin Laing's CD The Angels Share is all songs about Whisky-Some of his own and some old classics like Shel Silverstein's Whisky and Women

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 04:23 PM

A GREAT song for the alcohol/singing fraternity is "Billy Brink", lyrics posted by Spaw in November 2000. I don't see the "birdy" that would indicate that it's been harvested, but maybe I'm not looking right. In any case, you can find it with a forum search.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 04:17 PM

Hard to believe no one has mentioned BEHIND THOSE SWINGING DOORS.

And at the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday, end of Fasching I believe) parade in Munich in 1955 I learned this scrap, given here in my best attempt at the German:

Mir schmeckt kein Rosenkohl
Mir schmeckt kein Blumenkohl
Mir schmeckt kein Sauerkohl
Mir schmeckt nur alkohol!

which is to say something like:

I don't like brussels sprouts
I don't like ??? (another of the brassica family)
I don't like sour cabbage
I only like alcohol!

You need to know that "kohl" is cabbage in German.

Maybe somebody with better command of German can improve my spelling and my translation.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: vectis
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 02:22 PM

CHEVALIERS DE LA TABLE RONDE
Sussex toast
LET UNION BE IN ALL OUR HEARTS
Most of my other ones have been mentioned by others.

Subject: RE: Wanted: Songs for alcoholics!
From: Deda
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 03:27 PM

I may have missed a few spots but I didn't see anyone mention " I'M GONNA HIRE A WINO TO DECORATE OUR HOME". More about the effects of drinking on the drinker's family. Then that old mining song, "It's dark as a dungeon way down in the mines", has a verse about drunks -

Like a fiend with his dope or a drunkard his wine
A man must have lust for the lure of the mine