The battle & the war when i am buried don't visit my grave god cannot save me from the sins i've embraced pay your respects at that old liquor store where i won the battle, but i lost the war. you mine for silver, and i pan for gold you keep yours hidden, while all my are sold you tell the truth, and i lie and i barter and i drink and i cry, and i pass out at night i've always cheated, though i've never stolen no i've wanted things that you ain't never thought of pay your respects to that gamblin' score where i won the battle, and i lost the war they always told me when death came my sins would be cast out forgotten, laid to rest with my body pay your respects to that old church-house door where i won the battle, and i lost the war.