somebody's gotta crack a whip around here
who's minding the store?
shake it up sell some beer
what's your money maker for?
pay daywe're packin' 'em in
six-gun annie and buffalo jill
but who's to say they'll be back again
for a refill? honey, you know the drill

ain't no left turn down sleepy time street
you gotta be fasbut you gotta stay loose
thinkingon your feet
slick as grass through a goose
we gotta rationalise
the payroll is giving me chills
you and me's getting organised
it's kill or be killed
honey, you know the drill

well they can all look down on sucker row
but they all forget
the tallest trees from acorns grow
though they ain't yet
i never look down on a sucker stake
they all pay the bills
i never gave a sucker an even break
and i never will

a beautiful vision keeps coming to me
i see a miracle mile
flying in for free
service with a smile
high rollers fancy hotels
big time singers topping the bill
you gotta have a feel
for the stuff that sells
call it a skill
honey, you know the drill

somebody's gotta crack a whip around here
who's minding the store?
shake it up sell some beer
money walking through the door
annie's arriving at a dangerous age
don't you go getting ill
get another woman up in the cage
who ain't over the hill
honey, you know the drill

Writer : MARK KNOPFLER
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group