Stagger

[Intro]
He's just a drunk
Yeah, an old salty dog

[Chorus]
Stagger, you drink and then fall
Unaware that your life is held up against the wall
Aching, just dying inside
Still you cling on tight to your obstinate pride

[Verse 1]
I knew a man at the end of the bar
Wore a look of erosion, some old battle scars
Told many stories, none of them bright
If you bought him libations, he spun them all night
Started out in Normandy, moved right onto France
The battle of Berlin and more veteran parlance
At the end this generation, not like the last
Kids today need to learn about their past

[Chorus]
Stagger, you drink and then fall
Unaware that your life is held up against the wall
Aching, just dying inside
Still you cling on tight to your obstinate pride

[Verse 2]
Getting too loud, barkeeper gives the hook
All the patrons laugh so hard the dive it nearly shook
Into the alley he goes furious and irate
Expletives and threats babbled in hate
Finally collapses down to the asphalt
Battered mug and lacerations, it's his fault
Bystanders tap numbers for the ambulance call
Salty dog going for an E.R. haul

[Chorus]
Stagger, you drink and then fall
Unaware that your life is held up against the wall
Aching, just dying inside
Still you cling on tight to your obstinate pride

[Chorus 2]
Salt you stagger away and then fall
Continuously stubborn and defiant through it all
Vet you'll rattle, bemoan and berate
People not backing ideals out of date

[Bridge]
What he doesn't realize is he's the enemy of him
What he can't see is he's stuck in yesterday
Battle EMTs, they try to help him
Inside self imposed defiance, he'd rather swim
Inside of him a crazy death wish

[Chorus]
Stagger, you drink and then fall
Unaware that your life is held up against the wall
Aching, just dying inside
Still you cling on tight to your obstinate pride

[Verse 3]
I knew a man at the end of the bar
With a VFW jacket and some old battle scars
Did you hear the news?
Stagger's wish came true