Well, let me set the scene: I'm sitting in a basement bar, shootin' the breeze with who cares,
And at the window I can see a pair of black leather shoes making their way down the stairs.
Then the man that they're attached to grabs the stool next to mine, yanks off his tie, and swears.
He says, "I'll tell you somethin', son, life ain't all games and fun--and there ain't no such thing as fair."

Says he, "I'll have you see, I went to school and got my degree--got me a good job, too.
But then they test for grass and fire my ass 'cause I can't pass--they don't give a damn what I do."
I said, "I'm sorry, mister man, you've been dealt such a hand; I'll help if I can, it's true."
Then, as he downed his seventh rye, he looked me right in the eye--said, "I'll tell you what we're gonna do!"

He said, "Boys, tonight
Let's start a fight,
While the blood is pumping fire through our veins!
Cut loose and yell,
'Y'all go to hell!'
We're right behind, so let the Devil take the reins!"

You know, I thought it was a joke, all that big talk that he spoke. I just shook my head and grinned.
But then he hopped off his stool, and I swear that fool swaggered right up to some mean looking men.
He started talkin' shit, it hit the fan, and that was it! I ducked as someone threw their gin.
I threw some money on the bar, and I got out pretty quick--and I didn't look back again!

There was a full moon in the sky, but it was not very high; the night was young, so I went on my way.
I stepped into another bar where they advertised, "The Best Soup in Town, Served All Day!"
I got my soup, I got my brew; I said, "Here's looking at you" as the waitress walked away--
Then from behind me came a crash! I heard a bottle smash, and I heard somebody say,

"Hey boys, tonight
Let's start a fight,
While the blood is pumping fire through our veins!
Cut loose and yell,
'Y'all go to hell!'
We're right behind, so let the Devil take the reins!"

Well now, I ducked out of that place as someone swung at my face--see, I was just looking to relax,
So I decided just to wander to my usual spot at a place we called The Craic.
I waved at Mike and Justin sitting in the corner with Matt, and I shook hands with Max,
But as I greeted John and Jay, I could tell right away there was something quite off track.

I asked if Max knew what was up. He said, "I flipped my truck, and the insurance says they're not sure.
Matt might get laid off, and Justin just quit his job, singing, 'We're Not Gonna Take It No More.'
Johnny's got that cough that he just can't shake off; Mike's just been up since four--
I said, "I'll stop you there. I feel the tension in the air... I've seen this scene before."

I looked around at all their faces, looking fit to bust.
I said, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em--we must do what we must."

I said, "Boys, tonight
Let's start a fight,
While the blood is pumping fire through our veins!
Cut loose and yell,
'Y'all go to hell!'
We're right behind, so let the Devil take the reins!"