Well I got a bad liver and broken heart, yeah
I drunk me a river since you tore me apart
And I don't have a drinking problem, 'cept when I can't get a drink
And I wish you'd a-known her, we were quite a pair
She was sharp as a razor and soft as a prayer
So welcome to the continuing saga, she was my better half, and I was just a dog
And so here am I slumped, I've been chipped and I've been chumped on my stool
So buy this fool some spirits and libations, it's these railroad station bars
And all these conductors and porters, and I'm all out of quarters
And this epitaph is the aftermath, yeah I choose my path, hey, come on, Kath
He's a lawyer, he ain't the one for ya
No, the moon ain't romantic, it's intimidating as hell
And some guy's trying to sell me a watch
And so I'll meet you at the bottom of a bottle of bargain Scotch
I got me a bottle and a dream, it's so maudlin it seems
You can name your poison, go on ahead and make some noise
I ain't sentimental, this ain't a purchase, it's a rental, and it's purgatory
And hey, what's your story, well I don't even care
Cause I got my own double-cross to bear

And I'll see your Red Label, and I'll raise you one more
And you can pour me a cab, I just can't drink no more
Cause it don't douse the flames that are started by dames
It ain't like asbestos
It don't do nothing but rest us assured
And substantiate the rumors that you've heard


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Bad Liver and a Broken Heart Lyrics as written by Tom Waits

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Bad Liver and a Broken Heart (In Lowell) song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    The subtitle "(In Lowell)" is a reference to the city of Lowell, MA - the hometown and burial site of novelist Jack Kerouac, who died at the age of 47 due to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is, invariably, caused by alcoholism. Hence at least two parts of the title, "bad liver" and "in Lowell" are references to Kerouac.

    But I don't think the lyrics necessarily tell Kerouac's tale. Just the title, and overall tone of the song, describe Kerouac. Perhaps someone else can clarify that.

    tsreybon April 24, 2014   Link

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