Somebody told me you'd found new bonhomie Going places, you'd never go with me I felt myself became a bitter old shrew Oh, I'd have bitten you in two, if you would let me I'd look deadly as a nun Martyrdom does not become me I'll find love in vanity Somebody told me you'd found places to go And new people to know, and new ladies and so I felt myself become a bitter old shrew I'd have bitten her too, if you would let me If I don't laugh, what do I do? If I don't laugh and see this through I shouldn't even think of you Allow me one extravagance Before they come and ban me And let me shoot the messenger Aaa Aaa Aaa So help me God they talk so much This knowledge ain't my business But I hang on his every word Hey Lord, speed his journey back to hell I might retreat singin' But all I hear is you And just give me one more shot of gin I'll scream along to anything And just let me shoot the messenger Yea, so help me God, it talks so much This yard, this song, my weakness I'm gonna shoot the messenger Oh, let me shoot the messenger I'm gonna shoot the messenger