The All-Night New Year’s Kneeler

Last night I lost another battle to the bottle

It was New Year’s Eve and I went lookin for a place to hide

Through the stinging snow I came upon the stained glass light

The old oak doors were open so I walked inside          

I spent the whole night kneeling on this kneeler

But it’s better than the alley where I’ve been staying as of late

She said I had to clean up or get clean out of her life

And that’s what put  me here in this holy state

Now the church bells are ringing

And everybody’s singing

And I just woke up in this pew

Pretending to be praying

I don’t know what they’re saying

I don’t know what I’m doing here

Oh but happy happy happy Happy New Year

The congregation’s full of hope and resolutions

The first prayers of the new year delivered straight to heaven’s gate

Dressed in the their Sunday best they’re here to testify

And I’d like to get some rest but I guess I’ll wait

‘Cause now the organ is blaring

And everybody’s staring

And I woke up hoping no one knew

Pretending to be praying I don’t know what they’re saying I don’t know what I’m doing here Oh but happy happy happy Happy New Year

Now I'm waiting for the church to be empty again

I’m looking up at Jesus hanging there on the cross

I thank him for the shelter and the wafer and the wine

And I pray the congregation will get lost    

But there's a little baby screaming

And I wish that I was dreaming

But I'm trapped in the middle of this pew

Pretend to be praying

I don’t know what they’re saying

I don’t know what I’m doing here

Oh but happy happy happy Happy New Year

So if you find yourself out there in the cold cold night

And the winter winds against you are blowing strong     

Just find yourself a local house of worship

And pray they keep a little heat on all night long