One night I lay on the cold ground
not the first time nor the last
in a dark little corner in the Liberties
where I'd often take me rest
I’d a long oul day out begging
and not much left to show
after drinking my hard earnings
‘round the streets of Pimlico

It was on a summer evening
but the wind it still blew cold
maybe it was the full day's drink in me
that made me feel so old
either way this life was far too hard
and I swore it was time to change
I'd head up to the nuns in the morning
my saviour to arrange

Now trying to find a bit of warmth
I huddled myself to sleep
and I tried to dream of a warm paradise
with blue skies running deep
right then I was sure I was dreaming
was I in heaven or was I in hell
cos molten lava surrounded me
but it was whiskey I could smell

Right before my very eyes
a fire lit up the sky
and I could hear the hellish clap of hooves
which did me terrify
to beat the devil I said a prayer
that I'd drink no more a drop
save me from this devilish place
and my devilish ways I'll stop
Well I don't know if my prayer it worked
or was it just God's funny way
but the clap of hooves turned out to be
pigs running from their sty
what made them bolt it did turn out
and the fire lighting up the sky
was a blaze down in the malt house
that sent whiskey flowing free

Now the whiskey burned like lava
as it flowed down Ardee Street
the pigs used their brains and got away
but they were all that did retreat
for instead of fleeing to safety
men and women gathered round
with what they could use even their own shoes
to scoop the whiskey off the ground

I’m telling you now it was quite the sight
A river of whiskey it was a first
and if it wasn’t for the blessed prayer I’d said
I would’ve dived straight in head first
nevermind the fact that the fireman Mr Ingram a rare breed you know
he lay down a ton of horse manure
to halt the whiskey’s flow

Now you mightn’t believe me temptation
and sure the perils of fire are well known
but try think of the situation
in the Liberties on the 18th of June
for despite the flames and the danger thirteen people ended up dead
not from burns or smoke inhalation
it was drinking hot whiskey instead

Well I tell you this for nothing
a penance that night I served
and there's ne'er a priest nor a nun
say it wasn't well deserved
for it got me back to religion
and I pray now every night
and I won't take a drink no more til I see
the whiskey flow down Ardee St