Three scruples to a dram boys
Eight drams to an ounce
Two cups will get you a pint now
And the first one?s on the house
verse 2
The drunkard craves just another
Blind man blames the eye
The poor man dreams of riches
And a martyr prays to die
I don't need to read the papers
Or the tea leaves to understand
That this world's been shaved
By a drunken barber's hand
verse 3
I've drowned in the pull of young love
Known the high and the hurt
I've felt the heartbeat quicken
At the sight of a lifted skirt
verse 4
I've thrilled to the big sound
Felt the rumble and the roar
Drove straight through the blackest night
In a chase forevermore
I don't need to read the papers
Or the tea leaves to understand
That this world's been shaved
By a drunken barber's hand
Bridge
I rode ten thousand miles
On a carousel horse of wood
We end up where we started
Get right back on if we could
Verse 5
So go ahead make your confession
To a washed up whiskey priest
I'll be puttin' money down
On the rough and slouching beast
'Cause I don't need to read the papers
Or the tea leaves to understand
That this world's been shaved
By a drunken barber's hand
I don't need to read the papers
Or the tea leaves to understand
That this world's been shaved
By a drunken barber's hand