Original Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross version
My wife got tired of me running around, so she tried to keep me home
Well she broke my nose and hid my clothes, but I continued to roam
Then she finally hit my weak spot, threatened to throw my bottle out
Well from the basement to the rooftop, everybody could hear me shout
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Yeah gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Because I can't cut loose without my juice
I gotta have hot Lucy when I go walking, you know
Well one day while crossing the avenue, a big car knocked me down
While I was stretched out tying up traffic and crowds came from blocks around
Now the police were searching my pockets, before they sent me to the funeral parlor
But when one of them cops took my bottle, Jack, I jumped straight up and commenced to holler
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Because I can't get well without muscatel
I only drink for medicinal purposes anyway
Well now one real dark and dreary night as I was staggering home to bed
Well a bandit jumped from the shadows and put a blackjack beside my head
That cat took my watch, my ring, my money, and I didn't make a sound
But when he reached and got my bottle, you could hear me for blocks around
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Beat my head outta shape, but leave my grape
Watch, ring and money ain't nothing, don't mess with my wine, Jim
Well one day my house caught fire while I was laying down sleeping off a nap
And when I woke up everything was burning with a pop and a crackle and a snap
Now the fireman chopped up my TV set and tore my apartment apart
But when he raised his axe to my bottle, I screamed with all my heart
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
So I can drink one toast before I roast
Ain't no sense going out half baked, might as well be all tore up
You can take all those Hollywood glamor girls, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Bridget Bardot and Lucille Ball
And all them chicks and line 'em upside the wall
Put a gigantic jug beside 'em, and tell me to take my choice
Well there'd be no doubt which one I chose, the minute I raised my voice
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Ohhh (Unhand that bottle)
Ohhh (Unhand that bottle)
Well those chicks look fine, but I love my wine
Now some folks like money, some like to dance and dine
But I'll be happy if you give me that wine
Gimme that wine! (Unhand that bottle!)
GIMME THAT WINE is a song written by Jon Hendricks and originally released by Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross on their 1960 album The Hottest New Group In Jazz.
The above lyrics are for the original Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross version of GIMME THAT WINE as released in 1960.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band performed GIMME THAT WINE live a few times in 1974 and 1975, with Clarence Clemons on lead vocals. See the live 10 Mar 1974 (late show) version for more details.
List of available versions of GIMME THAT WINE on this website:
GIMME THAT WINE [Live 10 Mar 1974 (late show) version]
