In the coalmines of my beginning
The goings there were very hard
All the toil and sweat I put in
Was someone else's living
Was someone else's living

Hey now, that's a thought
A crowd to carry out my lot
Right there in front of me
I saw the fate I sought

Struck a deal with a master miner
He drove a bargain to the end
Cost me nights and nights of worry
But look what I was getting
But look what I was getting

Hey now, look at me
I'm not the man I used to be
A clear-eyed view of things
Two feet on the floor
Now the sky is fair
Everything I have to spare
See me standing straight
Back is bet no more

I'll make my home on Commissioner
And all sin my only friend
I'll take your life on Commissioner
Your soul will scream with me again

It's a pleasure living in ease
When all you have to do is wait
Having all is my Achilles
It doesn't matter to me
It doesn't matter to me

Hey wait, look at me
I'm not the hypocrite you see
I've paid a heavy price
The circus knows my name
Little did I know
Just how fast old man time goes
You have to learn to lose
If you play the game