House of Strength and Love

I caught my old girlfriend out the corner of my eye
 She was staring straight at me from a pile of old debris
 She would not let me pass as she danced behind the glass
 So I poured myself another shot of whiskey
 I gave that ol gal everything a man could give
 But all she gave to me was that cock-eyed memory
 That pendant keeps me chained, then it drives me insane
 But, as Soloman or Franklin used to say
 To build that house of strength and love
 You need a woman and a man
 Or a flask of booze, a man and a marmot
 And that house of booze and love will last
 Until the day he dies
 Whether the woman or the marmot's by his side
 I popped those pills of patience
 I was kinder than a louse
 Kept them spirits in my steps
 To the envy of her pep
 Kept that pride in my sack
 Never boasting glaring facts
 As I filled my glass, she waddled off my wagon
 Outside of my window, the marmot rears his head
 It's just you and me, my friend, til the bitter, winter's end
 A younger man would argue
 But those wise men do agree
 That living's arm in arm with marmotry
 To build a house of strength and love
 You need a woman and a man
 Or a flask of booze, a man, and a marmot
 And that house of strength and love with last
 Until the day he dies
 Whether the woman or the marmot's by his side