What Have You Got To Lose
Honky Tonk Reflections: Life's Choices in Love and Libation
Lyrics
Well, I've been in some bars
Reflecting on experiences in various bars
Where they serve it in big silver
Describing different types of drinking vessels
Goblets and pewter and brass
Highlighting the variety in drinking settings
And I've been in some joints
Referencing visits to different types of establishments
Where they serve it in paper cups
Mentioning simpler places with basic cups
And maybe an old water glass
Noting the use of ordinary glasses for drinks
But it's always the same in
Introducing the common aspect of the drinking experience
The old drinking game
Referring to the predictable nature of drinking games
When you drink and you try to forget
Describing the motive to drink and forget past relationships
One woman who loved you
Acknowledging the challenge of dealing with failed relationships
And another who didn't
Highlighting the contrast between love and rejection
And I ain't seen one winner yet
Expressing skepticism about finding a winner in such situations
What have you got to lose
Pondering the consequences of one's actions
Try women and booze and the cigarette blues
Suggesting trying different vices like women, booze, and cigarettes
What have you got to lose
Reiterating the question about potential losses
Well, I've been in some towns
Recalling experiences in various towns with different people
With some high rollin heavies
Referencing influential and powerful individuals
And I know some unknown new stars
Knowing aspiring, yet unknown, celebrities
The big equalizer is a good drink of liquor
Emphasizing the equalizing power of alcohol in social settings
When they all belly up to the bar
Describing a scene where people gather at the bar
Some cry for fame, some cry for money
Noting different aspirations for fame and fortune
And some people reach for the stars
Commenting on people reaching for their dreams
But when a honky tonk heart starts
Connecting emotions to the atmosphere of a honky tonk
Crying for a honky tonk
Describing a situation where emotions overpower conversation
You can't get a word in edgewise
Now an old country boy just
Contrasting the laid-back lifestyle with social involvement
Can't sit on the porch
Rejecting passivity and advocating participation
And watch while the world passed by
Stressing the need for active engagement in life
No, he's got to be part
Emphasizing the desire to be part of social activities
Of some social endeavour
Introducing the use of alcohol as a social lubricant
So he gets him a jug and he tries
Describing a person getting a jug of liquor to participate
He'll play that old jukebox and
Highlighting the role of music in the social experience
Chase them old hides
Indicating engaging in playful or rowdy behavior
About daylight come to in his room
Describing the aftermath of a night of drinking
When that sun's coming up
Noting the consequences of excessive drinking
He's about halfway to hell
Describing the state of being halfway to trouble
And about half way back home around noon
Highlighting the cyclical nature of the lifestyle
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