Brother, my cup is empty

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home



I am the captain of my pain

Tis the bit, the bridle,

The trashing cane

The stirrup, the harness

The whipping mane

The pickled eye

The shrinking brain

O brother, buy me one more drink

I'll explain the nature of my pain

Yes, let me tell you once again

I am the captain of my pain



O brother, my cup is empty

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home



I cannot blame it all on her

To blame her all would be a lie

For many a night I lay awake

And wished that I could watch her die

To see her accusing finger spurt

To see flies swarm her hateful eye

To watch her groaning in the dirt

To see her clicking tongue crack dry

O brother, buy me one more drink

One more drink and then goodbye

And do not mock me when I say

Let's drink one more before I die



O brother, my cup is empty

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home



Well I've been sliding down on rainbows

Well I've been swinging from the stars

Now this wretch in beggars clothing

Bangs his cup across the bars

Look, this cup of mine is empty!

Seems I've misplaced my desires

Seems I'm sweeping up the ashes

Of all my former fires

So brother, be a brother

And fill this tiny cup of mine

And please, sir, make it whiskey

For I have no head for wine



O brother, my cup is empty

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home



I counted up my blessings

And counted only one

One tiny little blessing

And now that blessings gone

So buy me one more drink, my brother

Then I'm taking to the road

Yes, I'm taking to the rain

I'm taking to the snow

O my friend, my only brother

Do not let the party grieve

So throw a dollar onto the bar

Now kiss my ass and leave



O brother, my cup is empty

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home