Hey bartender, that's a lovely beer,
Did she love me not?
Did she love me dear?
I can't ravel back an unraveling mind,
But if I take that drink I can travel in time.

Back in the days of summer,
Flaming and blissful,
Me and you, a stamen and pistil,
Love be lofty, love be risky,
But if she won't have me
You can love me whiskey.

I'm holding out hope for a sober cure,
A way, a way,
Way to forget should I know for sure.

I'm ready to go home and sink in the bunk,
Good boys don't get stinking and drunk,
I can't find the fun in my sober living,
When there's no forgetting and such slow forgiving.

I'm holding out hope for a sober cure,
A way, a way,
A way to forget should I know for sure.

Hey Barnett, I'd have a final shot,
I don't care if I'll be fine or not,
Someday you can find me sober,
But tonight I'm a five-leaf clover.

I'm holding out hope for a sober cure,
A way, a way,
A way to forget should I know for sure,
I'm holding out hope for a sober cure,
A way, a way,
A way to forget should I know for sure.