(Mike)
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
He was a rock, to the end, a solid reminder
Couldn't deny a friend
(Mike & Jian)
We lived in the noise and the sweet amber poison
(Mike)
Peekin' up the skirt of the end
And we'd drink, two gnarly dudes and some records
Much like plates of black food
(Mike & Jian)
We filled up our faces, saw some far places
(Mike)
Stood on the roof in the nude
(All)
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
(Mike)
Between poles, he said "We're like cows in the grass"
Brushing off flies
(Mike & Jian)
Chaise lounging around, standing up, falling down
(Mike)
Till we no longer opened our eyes
And we'd drink, ever notice how drinking's like war?
Cup o' troops o'er the gums
(Mike & Jian)
To the end of our health, a campaign 'gainst myself
(Mike)
Armed with bourbons and scotches and rums
(All)
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
(Mike)
Think of bombs, we're poised on the edge of disaster
Whether it's right or it's wrong
(Mike & Jian)
We opened the window, played some Nintendo
(Mike)
Sang a few bars of some pretty old song:
(All)
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
(Mike)
I'll see you in my dreams
Oh to dream, those impotent bones of extinction
Flying graceful and free
(Mike & Jian)
None but the best 'cause the man cannot rest
(Mike)
Till he's finally beaten his me
(All)
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
(Mike)
Till the end, he passed out on the sundeck that morning
Quietly saying goodbye
(Mike & Jian)
But I was so hammered I sputtered and stammered
(Mike)
Told him he couldn't just die
He was a rock, went straight for his own Armageddon
Face froze in a grin
(Mike & Jian)
Ambulance flyin' in, I never drank again
(Mike)
Can't really call that a loss or a win
(All, acappella)
And the band played on
As the helicopters whirred
Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
My senses finally blurred
From the Liner:
(Mike-lead vocal; Murray-vocals; Jean-vocals, bomb; Dave-vocals, guitar, accordion)