I broke free on a saturday morning I put the pedal to the floor Iheaded north on mills avenue And listened to the engine roar My broken house behind me and good things ahead A girl named cathy wants a little of my time Six cylinders underneath the hood, crashing and kicking Ah ha, listen to the engine whine I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me I played video games in a drunken haze I was seventeen years young Hurt my knuckles punching the machines The taste of scotch rich on my tongue And then cathy showed up and we hung out Trading swigs from a bottle all bitter and clean Locking eyes, holding hands Twin high maintenance machines And i am gonna make it through this year if it kills me I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me I drove home in the california dusk I could feel the alcohol inside of me hum I pictured the look on my stepfather's face I was ready for the bad things to come I downshifted as i pulled into the driveway The motor screaming out, stuck in second gear The scene ends badly, as you might imagine In a cavalcade of anger and fear There will be feasting and dancing in jerusalem next year And i am gonna make it through this year if it kills me I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me