Sittin’ in this darkened room

The band plays its last song

The barkeep gives the signal

I’ve been here way too long

I check the clock up on the wall

Then down my shot and beer

Just one more’s all I really want

And it wants me, I hear

Johnnie’s in a bottle

And he’s tryin’ to get out

Listen, you can hear him

Can’t you hear him shout?

The whiskey there’s a screaming

I hear and know it true

I’m gonna free ol’ Johnnie

That’s what I’m gonna do

Told me he been stuck in there

At least 12 years to the day

I couldn’t let ol’ Johnnie down

I’ll get him out some way

If I have to keep on pouring

I know I’ll set him free

But, once he’s out and he’ll be out

What will he do to me?

Johnnie’s in a bottle

And he’s tryin’ to get out

Listen, you can hear him

Can’t you hear him shout?

The whiskey there’s a screaming

I hear and know it true

I’m gonna free ol’ Johnnie

That’s what I’m gonna do

Now the bottle’s done gone empty

The last of Johnnie’s in my glass

I gotta drink ol’ Johnnie down

And I gotta drink it fast

The barkeep, he’s a coming

He’s gonna throw me out

I finally grab that last shot

As I hear ol’ Johnnie shout

“You set me from this bottle

But I’m now inside of you

Because of all your kindness

This is what I’ll do

When you stand to get a goin’

And you turn there for the door

I’m gonna kick you in the ass

And knock you to the floor

You used me and you used me

Until I plum went dry

I think, too, I will knock you out

No reason to ask why”

Johnnie’s in a bottle

And he’s tryin’ to get out

Listen, you can hear him

Can’t you hear him shout?

The whiskey there’s a screaming

I hear and know it true

I’m gonna free ol’ Johnnie

That’s what I’m gonna do