I heard the law came down in Vegas town,
They no longer fear the mob,
Told my wife and kids, "It's a business trip, Daddy's only doing his job,"
So, I emptied out the savings account, sure that I could beat the odds,
Soon learned you might not rate a desert grave,
That town still steals and robs.

For free drinks and a dream I gave them my wallet,
I rolled the dice and upped my price,
A soul for sale, they bought it,
Now a billion lights gleam,
They're twinkling 'bove this dead broke alcoholic,
And I lost everything for free drinks and a dream.

The day I sold my car I hit the bar across from my cheap motel room,
That's when I thought hard about just getting out of this bright and lavish tomb,
But this place don't sleep on its promise to keep a light on against the gloom,
She says, "Maybe you got one more shot,"
And that's the lie that's been my ruin.

For free drinks and a dream I gave them my wallet,
I rolled the dice and upped my price,
A soul for sale, they bought it,
Now a billion lights gleam,
They're twinkling 'bove this dead broke alcoholic,
And I lost everything for free drinks and a dream.

A dream of living your years out with just a little ease,
Where a man can afford to be ill, and that extra bill won't bring him to his knees.

Now I'm so alone, I can't go home,
How could a family understand that your love for them can do you in, make you a desperate man'
Though youth is gone, still the heart draws you on to devise foolhardy plans,
You set aside your guilt for kingdoms built on shifting desert sands.

For free drinks and a dream I gave them my wallet,
I rolled the dice and upped my price,
A soul for sale, they bought it,
Now a billion lights gleam,
They're twinkling 'bove this dead broke alcoholic,
And I lost everything to free drinks and a dream,
Oh Lord, my soul redeem,
'Cause I lost everything to free drinks and a dream.