Empty bottle was half empty, tide was low, and I was thirsty
I saw her sitting at the bar, well you know how some girls are
Always making eyes, well she wasn't making eyes

So I sidled up beside her, settled down and shouted, "Hi there"
My name's Stewart Ransom Miller, I'm a serial lady-killer"
She said, "I'm already dead," that's exactly what she said

So we tripped the lights fantastic, we was both made of elastic
Midnight came and midnight went and I though I was the President
She said, "Do you have a car?" and I said, "Do I have a car?"

What's so great about the Barrier Reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a Good Times Van
When you're working on a broken, working on a broken
Working on a broken man
When you're working on a broken, working on a broken
Working on a broken man, yeah

My heart wasn't in it, not for one single minute
Oh then I went through the motions with her
Her on top, and me on liquor, didn't do no good, well I didn't think it would

What's so great about the Barrier Reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a Good Times Van
When you're working on a broken, working on a broken
Working on a broken man?
When you're working on a broken, working on a broken
Working on a broken man?
When you're working on a broken, working on a broken
Working on a broken man?



Lyrics submitted by charlesbronson

Barrier Reef Lyrics as written by Murray Hammond Kendall Dewayne Bethea

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Barrier Reef song meanings
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3 Comments

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    General Comment

    This is the first Old 97's songs I heard. These are my favorite lines:

    My heart wasn't in it, not for one single minute. I went through the motions with her. Her on top, and me on liquor.

    lilac_lushon June 26, 2003   Link

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