In The Fifth

Freddy was itchin' for a fight
Never knew who the enemy was
Scuffling for phantom purses
Marlon Brando without a cause

He climbs into that ring each night
But he's never met the issue
A proud pug punching speed bags
In the mirror applying scar tissue

So he makes his play
And he takes his pay
And he takes a dive in the fifth
And the fifth hits back
And it hits back hard
Lays him out on the canvas stiff

Molly is a dime-store dancer
Double-time dime bags her pay
Prancin' for punchies in back-street bars
They would dance the night right away

She climbs onto that stage each night
The issues have never been clearer
Proud pony on the quarter pole
Applies scar tissue in the mirror

But the bag hits back
And it hits back hard
Lays her out on the canvas stiff
So she makes her play
And she takes her pay
And she takes a dive in the fifth

Freddy coulda been a contender
Molly coulda been a star
But it was easier to bob and weave
And apply the tissue to the scars

So Freddy hits the canvas hard
Molly gyrates on poles for strangers
The audiences' lusts fulfilled
Their mirrors are their only dangers

So they make their play
And they take their pay
And they take their dive in the fifth
And the fifth hits back
And it hits back hard
Lays them out on the canvas stiff

And the bag hits back
And it hits back hard
Lays them out on the canvas stiff

 © John Kennan 10-5-19