Bartender

Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
Play Video
  • If I go
    Before I'm old
    Oh, brother of mine
    Please don't forget me if I go

    [Chorus]
    Bartender, please
    Fill my glass for me
    With the wine you gave Jesus
    That set him free after three days in the ground

    Oh, and if I die
    Before my time
    Oh, sweet sister of mine
    Please don't regret me if I die

    [Chorus x2]

    I'm on bended knees
    I pray bartender please

    When I was young
    I didn't think about it
    Now I can't get it out of my mind

    I'm on bended knees
    Father, please

    Oh, and if all this gold
    Should steal my soul away
    Oh, dear mother of mine
    Please redirect me if this gold

    Bartender, you see
    The wine that's drinking me
    Came from the vine that strung Judas
    From the devil's tree
    His roots deep, deep in the ground

    Bartender, you see
    The wine that's drinking me
    Came from the vine that strung Judas
    From the devil's tree
    It's roots deep, deep in the ground, ground

    I'm on bended knees
    Oh, bartender, please

    I'm on bended knees
    Father, please

    When I was young
    I didn't think about it
    Now I just want to run and hide

    I'm on bended knees, oh bartender, please
    Bartender, please Writer/s: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 11

  • Carl FabyWhat live cd does Dave talk about taking a dip in a small creek he also starts the show off with it's good to be back at the fox.
  • Tom from Leeds, United KingdomThis was the first song they played after LeRoi Moore (sax) died
  • Tyler from Clarkesville , GaThis song is best Live at Radio City when its just Dave and Tin Reynolds.
  • Mounia from Beirut, Lebanonmy favorite version is from the concert of july 21, 2001, don't know where it took place, but it's the version they have on youtube with the date 21 july, 2001

    Bartender and Warehouse are my favorite, followed very closely by Typical Situation
  • Matthew from Milford, MaGod as a bartender... why does that strike me as rather funny? I mean, I know that Jesus turned water into wine ("We need more wine up here, Son!"), but still...
  • Bryan from Syracuse, NySaw Dave 7 times in one Decade and only heard this song 1 time.
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtDave Matthews has said this is "an Agnostic song about God".
  • Jeremy from Clay, Nythis is one of my favorite Dave Matthews Band songs..daves whale at the end gives me the goosebumps evrytime time i hear it...it is probally my favorite song to hear live
  • Ash from Charleston, WvThe live version on "Live at Folsom Field" is simply incredible.
  • Adeeb from Dhaka, Otherwonderous
  • Justin from Felts Mills, NyIn my opinion, this is one of DMB's most powerful songs, and easily the best song to close an album. The lyricism and the musical arrangements are on an epic scale that DMB had not reached before. Dave's lyrics are brilliant and often times moving, and even after he finishes singing, the brilliant playing of the entire band takes the song to new heights. "Bartender" is a majestic masterpiece, and maybe one of DMB's best...great song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.