Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart Of Life Arc Of Bar

Lyrics

hustlers, whores, in rooms galore, a sinking city's stink
an arc of bar, a flesh bazaar, of diamonds, dust, and drink
the jukebox jamming, the lions lambing, the jokers doing the dealing
and queens are over jacks, remember that, or catch a beating

the night had come into her own, and i made the arc of bar my home
beneath my clothes, just a bag of bones, under my skin, just skeletons
i was rolling like a pair of dice, one for laws and one for lies
but all of this i tried to hide, behind a glaze of sweat and fire

to some a mistress, to some a muse, something soft for something blue
she sussed my needs out of my dreams, and baptized me in flesh that seethes
then she lay me like a baby on bed of spanish moss
and for her love, i would help the devil to steal christ right off the cross

i lay blame on the arc of bar, and the hundred proof in me
but the arc, it blames the air, hundred percent humidity
well at least those damned mosquitoes that fall flounder to the flood
get a thimble full of whiskey with their paltry pint of blood (my blood)

this port of call, it ain't no port at all, but cap my cup and anchors up
the jokers, they tease another hand, but they're out of luck cause i'm out of town
and the sun, it’s like an omen, goading me toward the gospel
but i got no plans at all, except a drink as soon as possible

some men offer confession, for their souls and grace of god
for others, women offer mercy, and mosquitoes their applause