Better Than the Truth

[Verse 1]
Billy Ringo always said the fish don't bite
Can't get a break to save my life, can't get a break for all my life
Fell out the window with the glass bong in his hand
On the ground he did land on his back with it smoking in his hand

[Verse 2]
Billy Ringo said he nearly crashed his car
On the winding roads not far from the house he used to live in
Said he felt them tires lifting off the pavement
But he pulled it out in time, and he made it home by five

[Chorus]
And he said I'm only looking for an acceptable level
Of bullshit I can live with, but something's gotta give
And I never could stand that son of a bitch there in the mirror
Staring back at me, staring back at me

[Verse 3]
Billy Ringo liked to play his music loud, said he never was allowed
To become the things he said that he was
Destined for them nights drinking at the bar
Talking about his shining star and its impending incline

[Chorus]
And he said I'm only looking for an acceptable level
Of bullshit I can live with, but something's gotta give
And if I wrote it in a movie, it would all end differently
And be better than the truth, better than the truth

[Verse 4]
The last time I saw Billy, he was drinking at the bar
We caught up and made some small talk, he invited me over
And he started giving me all the paintings on his wall
Said he wanted me to have them, but he wouldn't say what for

[Verse 5]
And if I wrote it in a movie, it would end there on the ground
Like I said there in the first verse, that's how he would be found
I would spare the moviegoers all the bitter, sad details
Better than the truth

[Refrain]
I would spare the moviegoers all the bitter, sad details
Better than the truth