CHORUS: And the band played on

As the helicopters whirred

Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn

My senses finally blurred



He was a rock, to the end a solid reminder

Couldn't deny a friend

We lived in the noise and the sweet amber poison

Peekin' up the skirt of the end

And we'd drink, two gnarly dudes and some records

Much like plates of black food

We filled up our faces, saw some far places

Stood on the roof in the nude



CHORUS



Between poles, he said "We're like cows in the grass"

Brushing off flies

Chaise lounging around, standing up, falling down

Till we no longer opened our eyes

And we'd drink, ever notice how drinking's like war?

Cup o' troops o'er the gums

To the end of our health, a campaign 'gainst myself

Armed with bourbons and Scotches And rums



CHORUS



Think of bombs, we're poised on the edge of disaster

Whether it's right or it's wrong

We opened the window, played some Nintendo

Sang a few bars of some pretty old song:



Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight

Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene

I'll see you in my dreams



Oh to dream, those impotent bones of extinction

Flying graceful and free

None but the best 'cause the man cannot rest

Till he's finally beaten his me



CHORUS



Till the end, he passed out on the sundeck that morning

Quietly saying goodbye

But I was so hammered I sputtered and stammered

Told him he couldn't just die

He was a rock, went straight for his own Armageddon

Face froze in a grin

Ambulance flyin' in, I never drank again

Can't really call that a loss or a win



CHORUS