God Loves A Drunk
Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson Lyrics
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Will the pubs never close? Will the glass never drain?
No more DTs and no shakes and no horrors
The very next morning, you feel right as rain
'Cause God loves a drunk, lowest of men
Like the dogs in the street and the pigs in the pen
But a drunk's only trying to get free of his body
His shouts and his curses they are just hymns and praises
To kick-start his mind now and then
O God loves a drunk, come raise up your glasses, amen
Does God really care for your life in the suburbs?
Your dull little life full of dull little things
And bring up the babies to be just like daddy
And maybe I'll be there when he gives out the wings
But God loves a drunk, although he's a fool
Oh he wets in his pants and he falls off his stool
And he can't hear the insults, and whispers go by him
As he leans in the doorway and he sings sally racket
He can't feel the cold rain beat down on his body
And soak through his clothes to the skin
O God loves a drunk, come raise up your glasses, amen
Will there be any pen-pushers up there in heaven?
Does crawling and wage-slaving win you God's love?
I pity you worms with your semis and pensions
If you think that'll get you to the kingdom above
Oh God loves a drunk, although he's a clown
Oh you can't help but laugh as he gags and falls down
But he don't give a curse for what people think of him
He screams at his demons alone in the darkness
He's staying alive for just one more pint bottle
Won't you throw him a few pennies, friend?
Ah God loves a drunk, for ever and ever, amen
In the song "God Loves a Drunk" by Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson, the lyrics explore the idea of God's love and acceptance for those who are deemed outcasts by society, specifically focusing on the archetype of a drunk.
The first paragraph contemplates the afterlife, questioning if heaven has bartenders and if the pubs there never close. It hints at a vision of paradise where there are no consequences of excessive drinking, no withdrawal symptoms, and the next morning brings a clear and refreshed state of mind. This suggests that God's love transcends societal judgments and sees beyond the flaws of individuals.
The second paragraph emphasizes the notion that God loves those who are considered the lowest of men, comparing them to "dogs in the street and pigs in the pen." It suggests that a drunk person is seeking liberation from their earthly body and wants to soar like an eagle up in heaven. The singer argues that the drunk's shouts and curses can be seen as hymns and praises, highlighting the transformative power of alcohol to momentarily remove inhibitions and bring solace to their troubled mind.
The third paragraph challenges the notion of a mundane suburban life, where conformity reigns and ambitions are centered around domestic responsibilities. The singer sarcastically suggests that God cares more for the drunk, who may be flawed and messy, than for those leading supposedly "dull little lives." The drunk is seen as someone detached from the judgments and whispers of others, finding solace in singing and defying societal norms. The rain symbolizes the hardships faced by the drunk, yet they remain unaffected, further highlighting their resilience.
The fourth paragraph questions the notion of success in society, particularly the idea of climbing the corporate ladder, represented by "pen-pushers." It suggests that God's love cannot be earned through laborious work or material possessions. The singer expresses pity for those who believe that their suburban lives and financial stability will guarantee them a place in heaven. The clown-like qualities of the drunk are embraced, as they provide both amusement and an embodiment of carefree defiance. The drunk's battle with personal demons is a struggle to stay alive, and their plea for assistance through a few pennies captures the notion of compassion and acknowledgement of their existence.
Overall, the song expresses the belief that God's love is all-encompassing, extending to those who are discarded and marginalized by society. It challenges the conventional notions of righteousness and emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding for all, even those who are perceived as societal misfits or who struggle with addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Will there be any bartenders up there in heaven?
Are there any bartenders in heaven?
Will the pubs never close? Will the glass never drain?
Will the pubs in heaven stay open forever? Will the glasses never empty?
No more DTs and no shakes and no horrors
No more delirium tremens, tremors, or horrors caused by withdrawal
The very next morning, you feel right as rain
The morning after, you feel completely fine
'Cause God loves a drunk, lowest of men
Because God loves a drunk, even though they are seen as the lowest of men
Like the dogs in the street and the pigs in the pen
Like the stray dogs in the street and the pigs in the pen
But a drunk's only trying to get free of his body
But a drunk is simply trying to escape from their physical existence
And soar like an eagle high up there in heaven
And soar freely like an eagle in the heights of heaven
His shouts and his curses they are just hymns and praises
The drunk's shouts and curses are actually their way of expressing their inner thoughts and emotions
To kick-start his mind now and then
To awaken and stimulate their mind from time to time
O God loves a drunk, come raise up your glasses, amen
Oh, God loves a drunk, let's raise our glasses and celebrate, amen
Does God really care for your life in the suburbs?
Does God truly care about your mundane life in the suburbs?
Your dull little life full of dull little things
Your unexciting life filled with unremarkable things
And bring up the babies to be just like daddy
And raise the children to be exactly like their father
And maybe I'll be there when he gives out the wings
And perhaps I'll be present when God distributes wings to everyone
But God loves a drunk, although he's a fool
But God loves a drunk, even though they may be seen as foolish
Oh he wets in his pants and he falls off his stool
Even though he may urinate in his pants and constantly fall off his stool
And he can't hear the insults, and whispers go by him
And he is unaffected by insults and whispers that pass by him
As he leans in the doorway and he sings sally racket
As he stands in the doorway, he sings with enthusiasm
He can't feel the cold rain beat down on his body
He is oblivious to the chilling rain hitting his body
And soak through his clothes to the skin
And soak his clothes all the way through to his skin
O God loves a drunk, come raise up your glasses, amen
Oh, God loves a drunk, let's raise our glasses and celebrate, amen
Will there be any pen-pushers up there in heaven?
Will there be any office workers in heaven?
Does crawling and wage-slaving win you God's love?
Does working as a low-level employee and being enslaved by wages make you deserving of God's love?
I pity you worms with your semis and pensions
I feel sorry for you insignificant beings with your semi-detached houses and retirement plans
If you think that'll get you to the kingdom above
If you believe that will guarantee you a place in the kingdom of heaven
Oh God loves a drunk, although he's a clown
Oh, God loves a drunk, even though they may be seen as foolish or ridiculous
Oh you can't help but laugh as he gags and falls down
You can't help but laugh as he chokes and repeatedly falls to the ground
But he don't give a curse for what people think of him
But he doesn't care at all about what people think of him
He screams at his demons alone in the darkness
He cries out in anguish and confronts his own personal demons in solitude
He's staying alive for just one more pint bottle
He's merely surviving in order to obtain one more bottle of beer
Won't you throw him a few pennies, friend?
Wouldn't you be willing to give him a few coins, my friend?
Ah God loves a drunk, for ever and ever, amen
Ah, God loves a drunk, eternally, amen
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandramorey2529
RIP Norma. If you find a bartender up in Heaven, you deserve a good stiff drink for all the wonderful music you have given the world. You could really deliver any song you sang.
@RalfJDiemb
What a wonderful voice - rest in peace Norma !
@edwardcarew6380
God bless Norma, now with the Angels ,
@lallementbernardecrivain7387
Norma'voice is a lighthouse in the actual night of coronavirus. Again and again ! The truth of Earth !
@jennyharris5109
Norma is the best female singer in Britain The tone / timbre ...so rich and absolutely none of that ghastly shrillness of so many.
@EdiDrums
Norma is blooming special, and it's horses for courses, of course; my vote would be either EMMA KIRKBY or ANNE BRIGGS. Tingles for shingles.
@noddyholder79
Song!
@oudeterp
Raise up your glasses,Amen for RT and Norma