Threadbare alibis, lifetime full of promise
Fell from my Mary's eyes as she heard the screendoor slam
The baby never woke, he lay cradled in her trembling
He lay safe and never knowing what my leavin' would bring
I draw my pay down on the docks, I send it home to Mary
I might hold back a dollar, wash this pain out of my back
But the pain keeps gettin' clearer and Mary your face just keeps on fadin'
now the light shines through this bottle, memories all fade to black
Well I see you out on the street tonight i'm a lover of a drink, lover of a fight
Hold my own on the dark side of this town
Yes i'm tough as nails got a heart of steel I will never fear 'cause I will never feel
And one more round would surely set me right, I miss my Mary tonight
They call me the old man in this bar, sleeves rolled up and showin,
The faint blue souveniers of love and places I have been
One says U.S. Navy and this one says Darling Mary
My Mary's turned to ashes and the ocean's turned to gin
