Brother, My Cup Is Empty

The speaker addresses a brother, expressing emptiness in their cup.

They lack money to purchase more whiskey.

Continuation of financial struggle for more whiskey.

Emphasizing the need to go home due to the empty cup.

Repetition of the theme of an empty cup and lack of money for whiskey.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

The speaker metaphorically describes themselves as the captain of their pain, detailing various elements of suffering.

Tis the bit, the bridle

The trashing cane

The stirrup, the harness

And the whipping mane

The pickled eye

And the shrinking brain

Asking for a drink to explain the nature of their pain, reiterating the self-awareness of being the captain of their pain.

I'll explain the nature of my pain

Yes, let me tell you once again

I am the captain of my pain

Repetition of the empty cup situation and the inability to afford whiskey.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

The speaker reflects on not blaming everything on someone, expressing dark thoughts about that person and the desire for one more drink before death.

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

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

Repeating the lack of money for whiskey and the need to go home.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

The speaker describes a downward spiral, seeking help to fill their empty cup with whiskey.

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

I have no head for wine

Reiteration of the empty cup and the financial constraint for whiskey.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

Continued repetition of the empty cup and lack of funds for whiskey.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

The speaker reflects on a lost blessing, requesting one more drink before embarking on a journey and expressing a dismissive attitude towards others.

And I 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

And I'm taking to the snow

O my friend, my only brother

Do not let the party grieve

So throw a dollar on the bar

Now kiss my ass and leave

Repetition of the theme of an empty cup and no money for whiskey.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home

Final repetition of the speaker's situation with an empty cup and insufficient funds for whiskey, emphasizing the need to go home.

And I haven't got a penny

For to buy no more whiskey

I have to go home