He said, "Grab any stool, put your belly to the bar" I'm not such a fool, I know just who you are It's been too many years and not enough time Have a cup of my tears, they've been watered with wine I am the drowning man, I am the drowning man There once was a girl, every story starts that way She lit up my world like a fireworks display And the flame drew me near but it frightened me more So I met her with water and I rained 'til I poured Now I am the drowning man, I am the drowning man I'm drowning in jiggers and I'm drowning in smoke I'm drowning in rivers where the fish gasp and choke I have drowned my tomorrows just to drown out my past Now I drown all my sorrows at the bottom of this glass 'Cause I am the drowning man, I am the drowning man I won't die for money and I won't die for love And I won't die for beauty or the good lord above But I'll die for a dream whose heart is engraved In the rocks and the reefs of my watery grave I am the drowning man, I am the drowning man