When I was 13 I bought a scally cap
Looked up to the older guys who drank at the rat
Couldn't wait to grow up just to drink with the crew
Put my name on the map and have a social few.

I recall when I was small I thought I'd be a legend soon
But that was then and this is now
A harder road could not be found
Don't get me wrong good times were had
Sometimes the fun outweighed the bad
But all in all now said and done
I can recall more bad than fun.

It's killing me, the answers here, it's plain to see
It's killing me, I'm half the man I thought I'd be
It's killing me, it's taken years but now I see
It's taken years but now I see
I'm not the man I'd thought I'd be.

I'd fight them all big or small,
Angel dust and bud tall
Collars up and fists the same
Protect your friends and family name
Had my lumps, received a few
But not near what I deserved
Some say this life's my punishment
Some say this life's my justice served.

It's killing me, the answers here, it's plain to see
It's killing me, I'm half the man I thought I'd be
It's killing me, it's taken years but now I see
It's taken years but now I see
I'm not the man I'd thought I'd be.

It's killing me, caps and bottles killing me
It's killing me, caps and bottles killing me
It's killing me, caps and bottles killing me
It's killing me, caps and bottles killing me

Barracudas-scally caps, barrell fires-sings alongs
Down the park where I belong,
Bar room brawls and irish songs.