Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home

Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home


[Verse 1]
Em
I am the captain of my pain
Em
Tis the bit, the bridle
Em
The thrashing cane
    Am
The stirrup, the harness and he whipping mane
     Em
The pickled eye and the shrinking brain
Em
Brother, buy me one more drink
Em
Explain the nature of my pity
      Am
Yes, let me tell you once again
   Em
I am the captain of my pain


[Chorus]
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home


[Verse 2]
    Em
I cannot blame it all on her
Em
To blame her all would be a lie
     Am
For many a night I lay awake
     Em
And wished that I could watch her die
Em
See her accusing finger spurt
Em
See flies swarm her hateful eye
     Am
To watch her groaning in the dirt
 Em
See her clicking tongue crack dry
Em
Brother, buy me one more drink
Em
One more drink and then goodbye
     Am
And do not mock me when I say
       Em
Let's drink one more before I die


[Chorus]
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home


[Verse 3]
Em
I've been sliding down on rainbows
Em
I've been swinging from the stars
      Am
This wretch in beggars clothing
          Em
Bangs his cup across the bars
Em
Look, this cup of mine is empty!
Em
Seems I've misplaced my desires
        Am
Seems I'm sweeping up the ashes
    Em
Of all my former fires
Em
So brother, be a brother
Em
And fill this tiny cup of mine
       Am
And please, sir, make it whiskey
     Em
I have no head for wine


[Chorus]
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home


[Verse 4]
   Em
I counted up my blessings
Em
And counted only one
     Am
One tiny little blessing
     Em
And now that blessing's gone
Em
So buy me one more drink, my brother
Em
Then I'm taking to the road
         Am
Yes, I'm taking to the rain
      Em
And I'm taking to the snow
Em
Oh my friend, my only brother
Em
Do not let the party grieve
   Am
Throw a dollar onto the bar
    Em
Now kiss my ass and leave


[Chorus]
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home
Em
Brother, my cup is empty
Em
And I haven't got a penny
       Am
For to buy no more whiskey
   Em
I have to go home