Once upon a time
 Not so long ago
 
 Tommy used to work on the docks
 The union went on strike
 He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
 
 Gina works the diner all day
 Working for her man, she brings home her pay
 For love, for love
 
 She says we've gotta hold on to what we've got
 It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
 We've got each other and that's a lot
 For love, we'll give it a shot
 
 Whoa, we're halfway there
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 
 Tommy's doing his six string in hock
 Now he's holding in what he used
 To make it talk, so tough, so tough
 
 And Gina dreams of running away
 But she cries every night, Tommy whispers
 Baby it's okay, someday
 
 We've gotta hold on to what we've got
 It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
 We've got each other, that's a lot
 For love, we'll give it a shot
 
 Whoa, we're halfway there
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
 Oh, livin' on a prayer, yeah
 We're livin' on a prayer
 
 We've gotta hold on, ready or not
 You live for the fight when it's all that you've got, whoa
 
 And I say whoa, we're halfway there
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 
 You know, we're halfway there
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 
 Oh yeah
 Oh yeah
 Oh, livin' on a prayer
 Oh yeah
 Whoa, livin' on a prayer
 Oh yeah, yeah
 
 Tommy used to work on the docks
 The union went on strike
 He's down on his luck, it's tough
 Hey Tommy, it's tough