And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in our 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
Peeking 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
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in our nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
"Between poles"
He said, "We're like cows in the grass
Brushing of 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
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in our nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
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
Irene good night
Irene good night
Good night Irene, good night 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"
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in our nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
'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.
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in our nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred