It's a beggars life, said the queen of spain 
but don't tell it to a poor man
'cause he's got to kill for every thrill 
the best he can
everywhere around me 
i see jealousy and mayhem 
because no men have all their peace of mind 
to carry them
well i don't really care 
if it's wrong or if it's right 
but until my ship comes in
i'll live night by night
When the joker tried to tell me 
i could cut it in this rube town
when he tried to hang that sign on me
i said take it down
when the dawn patrol got to tell you twice 
they're gonna do it with a shotgun 
yes, i'm cashing in this ten-cent life 
for another one
Well i ain't got the heart 
to lose another fight 
so until my ship comes in
i'll live night by night
Well i don't really care 
if it's wrong or if it's right 
but until my ship comes in
i'll live night by night