Tilt 'a Whirl

I woke up with a fading memory
of how she used to look like the sea
when we would walk for hours
along the edge of what could be.

There was sunshine and salt stuck
between the strands of her hair,
the hot sand beneath her feet
and the song of our love in the air.

...it went something like.

I saw the sins of your heart
and I know damn well you saw mine,
now that's okay my darling,
everything will turn out just fine,
'cause I'm a working man,
and you're a beautiful girl,
just don't you play my heart
like fun and games, baby
I ain't gonna be your Tilt 'a Whirl.

See I never payed for the Carnival
and I don't care much for clowns,
so tell those other men
who like to come around,
that if they try to set you up,
I'm gonna knock 'em all right down.

It's been a few years now
and sure as Hell I'm losing track,
at the price I payed to call out love
when all I ever wanted,
was just to have it back.

...since then I keep singing:

I'm a working man,
and you're a beautiful girl,
just don't you play my heart
like fun and games, baby
I ain't gonna be your Tilt 'a Whirl.

These days aren't getting along,
these nights of mine are getting rough,
I know I ain't no fighter, babe,
this empty bottle's got me feeling tough.

I never thought you'd be the one
to cheat and lie,
now this love I've held on to,
has to bleed and die.

So I cut it from my chest,
like it was a bullet from a gun,
believe me honey,
you ain't gonna be so sweet,
when you see the things that I've done.

Many men have ruined their hearts,
the same way that I have mine,
except for over a girl like you,
when I didn't have to wait in line.