INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET
Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm and a beat-up old Buick but dressed
just like dynamite,
He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on Easy Street,
But they said, "Johnny, it falls apart so easy and you know hearts
these days are cheap."
And the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a cheater."
Well the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a liar."
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice, said:
"Johnny don't cry."
Puerto Rican Jane, oh won't you tell me what's your name.
I want to drive you down to the other side of town where paradise ain't
so crowded and there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All the golden heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight pull thirty-eights
and kiss their girls goodnight.
Goodnight, it's alright, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame,
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby,
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe.
Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet she knew she'd never be true but then she didn't
really mind,
Upstairs a band was playin' and the singer was singin' something about
going home,
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight, but just
don't leave me alone."
And Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down the cops have
found the vein."
Them bare foot boys left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said their homes ain't no good,
They left the corners, threw away all their switchblade knives and
kissed each other goodbye.
Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape watchin' the kids playin' down the
street,
He called down, "Hey little heroes, summer's long but I guess it
ain't very sweet around here anymore",
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat, Johnny sits up alone and watches
her dream on, dream on,
And the sister prays for lost souls then breaks down in the chapel after
everyone's gone.
Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up
and putting his clothes on,
She says, "Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys),
all they ever want to do is fight",
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), they're callin'
through the window:
"Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?"
And Johnny whispered, "Goodnight, it's all tight Jane,
I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
We may find it out on the street tonight baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, baby."
Goodnight, it's alright Jane,
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane,
We can find it out on the street tonight, baby,
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
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