I'm just a bartender
And I don't like my work
But I don't mind the money at all
I see lots of sad faces
And lots of bsd cases of
Folks with their backs to the wall

But I 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

I can light up your smokes
I can laugh at your jokes
I can watch you fall down on your knees
I can close down this bar
I can gas up my car
I can pack up and mail in the key

But I 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

Now the smoke fills the air
In this honky-tonk bar
And Iim thinking 'bout
Where I'd rather be
But I burned all my bridges
I sank all ships and
I'm stranded at the edge of the sea

But I 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