Well,l I'm a sucker for fine Cuban cigars
The problem is I can't afford 'em
But last year I went and got myself a whole box
And just to be safe I insured 'em.

Chorus:
I took out a policy against fire and theft
And then I hurried home
With a fifty-cent lighter I sat on my back steps
And I smoked 'em one by one.

Two weeks later I went to see that insurance manAnd I handed in my claim
With a straight face I told him that through a series of small fires
They'd all gone up in flames.

Chorus:
They reviewed my case and they had no choiceBut to pay me for what I'd done
And I took that check and bought a whole new box
And I smoked 'em one by one.

--- Instrumental ---
Two weeks later this detective shows up
Tells me that company's pressin' charges
One speedy trial later, they locked me up
On twenty-four separate counts of arson.

Chorus:
And now I sit and I stare at a blank brick wall
Lookin' back on what I've done
To pass the time I've got some ten-cent cigars
And I smoke 'em one by one.
Yeah, I smoke 'em one by one...