I lived with my momma 'til I was sixteen
Old time religion, the sweetest of dreams
And now that I'm aging my conscience is dimmed
In my left hand the Bible, in my right hand an old purple tin
I went to the doctor 'cause I was unwell
He said 'My boy, you all shot to hell.
I'm gon' write you a prescription for some pure heroin'
But I traded that succour for a six pack of that old purple tin
CHORUS
The old purple tin, the old purple tin
Sweet testament Lord to the state that I'm in
I've drunk it all day and I've drunk it all night
The old purple tin, Oh Lord, lights up my life
I am in prison, the light never shines
I can't see my Bible so dark is the night
I'm waiting for letters that never get sent
All my brothers and sisters on the corner with that old purple tin
CHORUS
The old purple tin, the old purple tin
Sweet testament Lord (sweet nine percent Lord) to the state that I'm in
I've drunk it all day and I've drunk it all night
The old purple tin, Oh Lord, lights up my life
The old purple tin, Oh Lord, lights up my life