Now I'm just a bartender
And I don't like my work
But I don't mind the money at allI see lots of sad faces
And lots of bad cases
Of folks with their backs to the wallI need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping awayI can light up your smokes
I can laugh at your jokes
I can watch you fall down on your kneesI can close down this bar
Go and gas up my old car
I can pack up, oh Lord, and mail in the keyI need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping awayNow the smoke fills the air in this honky-tonk bar
And I'm thinking 'bout where I'd rather be
But I burned all my bridges and I sank all ships
Now I'm stranded at the edge of the seaI still need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away