Double Shot

Walked into the Happenstance

Poolhall with a bar

Downed a glass of straight-up kickass

Said, “Barkeep, sir—one more!”

Set that sip to my bottom lip

When my jawbone hit the floor

Every eye coulda told you why

When her boot kicked in the door

Sharp as cactus needles

Smiling calm and fierce and cool

Heaven sat like an alley cat

At the table by my stool

“Where ya from there, stranger?”

“Hey, and don’t forget to blink.

If you really like these Wranglers—

Come sit and have a drink.”

Double shot is what I got

Workin’ out the angles

Double shot, that ol’ gut rot

Whiskey called the angels

I smiled high and wondered why

This moment’s mine to claim

I raised the brand I had in hand

Shoutin’, “Jimmy—two the same!”

Sittin’ slack, she eyed me back

“Tell me, cowboy, what you do?

If you answer right, and we don’t fight—

I just might remember you.”

The moments turned to midnight

Every clock began to blur

A last slow dance and wicked glance

Could lead me home with her

Then and there her gittin’ stare

Winked toward the doorway

“Take me there” was what it said—

She’d had enough of foreplay

Double shot is what I got

Workin’ out the angles

Double shot, that ol’ gut rot

Whiskey called the angels

We hit the lot when a twisted plot

Sadly would unravel

Her last good friend came 'round the bend

And slammed me to the gravel

Now I can fight most any night

To teach or learn a lesson

But backing up big bulldog’s arm

Was a six-shot Smith & Wesson

Bullet hit the signpost high

Just above the door

Then Big Slammer dropped the hammer

On another .44

We chose to run from guy and gun

Hard hoping I had gas

But big boy’s blast hit paydirt—

Skinned me sideways through the ass

Double shot is what I got

Workin’ out the angles

Double shot, that ol’ gut rot

Whiskey called the angels

Lost him on the freeway ramps

As the darkness turned to light

My only destination—

Safe passage through the night

She leaned into my shoulder

Dabbing bits of blood away

She’d had a brawl with ol’ Too Tall

Catching him at play

She knew she really loved him

But that bastard made her mad

Her heart and bonds were broken—

He’d been her baby’s dad

“Baby’s at my momma’s place—

No clue to what we’ve seen.

Please, sir… can you get me there?

I’m really just a teen.”

Ohhh!

Double shot, that ol’ gut rot

Workin’ out the angles

Double shot is what I got—

Whiskey caaaaalled the angels!

— Hermit King