Jingle, jangle, pocketful of metal
Johnny’s in the basement, hooking up the kettle
Thinking to himself, “I guess I gotta settle for less”
He’s a mess
Jenny, Jenny, a plastic bag of pennies
Roll ‘em in brown paper, turn ‘em into twenty
Walking to the bank, she’s knocking, “Is there anybody here?
Have I made myself clear?”
I’m broke, I know I’m broke
But I’m not broken
Charlene, Charlene, everybody’s darling
High on something heavy, she’s flying like a starling
Coming down the stairs, she’s tripping through a chemistry class
Life’s a blast
Billy’s down from Sydney and, damn, he’s looking handsome
Stumbling down Portland, holding it for ransom
If you got a loonie, he’ll tell you the dirtiest joke
“Hey man, can I bum a smoke?”
I’m broke, I know I’m broke
But I’m not broken
You never see the wound, you only see the scar
Were we landing on the moon or standing at the bar?
It’s four in the morning, I don’t know where I am or who you are
Last chance landlord, renting out a closet
Picking up the weekly, making the deposit
Walking from the bank while we’re headed for the National Exchange
This world is strange
I’m broke, I know I’m broke
But I’m not broken
