The last time I saw him, I couldn't recall
When I bumped into him, coming down the hall
Of the county clerk's office
It was time to pay my taxes again
I said, "It's been a long time, man. Let's get us a beer"
He smiled, shook his head, said, "I quit drinking last year"
I said, "Ok. How 'bout a Coca-Cola, then?"
Yes, we got us a Coke
Then he said he'd been born again, baptized–he got his soul clean
Liquor was evil, and it was poisoning me
I said, "ok"
Man, I know you're just trying to be a good friend
But there's only one judge for me and brother you ain't him
So, I'll take my chances each time that I take a drink
Don't put the blame on the bottle, now that you've got yourself dry
And you're needing someone or something to call the bad guy
Too fast and too many–too much for way too long
Don't put the blame on the bottle
'Cause that whiskey don't pour on its own, sure don't
He didn't like what I had to say too much
So he just shook my hand, wished me good luck
He left that Co-Cola half empty
He left me where I stood
Then my mind moved to cold beer on the beach
Screened porch at sunset and a little bourbon neat
And a few more fine visions
And some memories of times that were good
Too much of a good thing ain't no good at all
That goes for all things, especially alcohol
I've had too much too often
And I ain't proud of some things that I've done
I don't put the blame on the bottle
For all of those things I done wrong
What's done is done now, I did what I did me alone
Too fast, too many, too much for way too long
I don't put the blame on the bottle
'Cause that whiskey don't pour on its own
No I don't put the blame on the bottle
'Cause that whiskey don't pour on its own
