I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
since I watched my daughter perish
She burned to death inside a car
I lost what I most cherish
I saw the angels hold her
as I screamed with useless hope
I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
It's the only way I cope!

I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
since I found my sister dead
She hung herself to stop the rapes
I found her in the shed
The rapist bastard still lives here
unpunished in this town
I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
since I cut her down.
I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
since my mother passed away.
They found her battered down the creek
I miss her more each day
My family blamed me for her death
their words have made me wild
I can't stop drinking, I tell you true
'cos I was just a child.

So if you see someone like me
who's drunk and loud and cursing
Don't judge too hard, you never know
what sorrows we are nursing.