Lyrics

Once upon a time not so long ago.

Tommy used to work on the   .
Union's been on   .
He's down on his   .
It's tough, so tough.

Gina works the diner all   .
Working for   man.
She brings home her   .
For love, for love.

She says,
"We've gotta   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   ."

Whoa, we're half-way there.
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.
Take my hand, we'll make it. I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.

Tommy's got his six string in   .
Now he's   in
What he used to make it   .
So tough, it's tough.

Gina   of running away.
When she   in the night
Tommy   ,
"Baby, it's okay,   .

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 half-way there.
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.
Take my hand and we'll make it. I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.

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, we're half-way there.
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.

Whoa, we're half-way there.
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer.
Legend

Meaning

This song tells the story of Tommy and Gina, two kids working to make it on their own despite constant hardships. It struck a chord with America's youth, especially the ones from New Jersey. The characters in the song relate to the working class fans Bon Jovi played to. "Tommy" works on the docks, while "Gina" works in a diner.

Source: songfacts

Vocabulary

hock

To pawn , exchange for a loan
I blew all my money in vegas... now i gotta hock my watch to get the bus fare home

Gotta

I’ve got to I have to