now i m just a bartender and i don t like my work but i don t mind the money at all i see a lots of sad faces a lots of bad cases of folks with their backs to the wall but i need four walls around me to hold my life to keep me from going astray and a honky tonk angel to hold me tight to keep me from slipping away i can light up your smokes i can laugh at your jokes i can watch you fall down on your knees i can close down this bar i can gas up my car i can pack up and mail in my key but i need four walls around me to hold my life to keep me from going astray and a honky tonk angel to hold me tight to keep me from slipping away now the smoke fills the air in this honky tonk bar and i m thinking about where i d rather be but i burned all my bridges i sank all my ships and i m stranded at the edge of the sea but i need four walls around me to hold my life to keep me from going astray i need a honky tonk angel to hold me tight to keep me from slipping away