A gospel mission on Water Street
Where beat-up souls do congregate
To suffer through sermons of hellfire
And join their voices in the choir
Brother Eddie in the back row
Shuffles on up to the piano
Anybody can come in
Out of the cold and howling storm
Rub their shoulders with their brother
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
A junkie priest comes stumbling in
Sporting his habit black as sin
Russian sailors in they come
Nine winos and a common bum
Oh Brother Eddie won't you hit
Those pearly things just a little bit
Anybody can come in
Out of the cold and howling storm
Find a seat close to the piano
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
Brother Eddie won't you play
Some say he was a priest who got defrocked because he loved god less than Bach,
Some say he was a boogie-woogie ace who just got weary of the race
But all agree
He's got the gift
Of leading you
From where you've drift
Anybody can come in
Out of the cold and howling storm
Rub their shoulders with their brother
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
Get the word or just get warm
You can get the word or just get warm