Texarkana en route to New Orleans –
My baby fell from his bike.
And I was told he lay conscious;
And he knew death would arrive.

Ride, ride, ride, ride…

From weeping trees blue bottles hang –
And southern grass come covered with mist.
Could he not stay on the road we paved?
The dirt devours those who fall adrift.

Ride, ride, ride, ride…

They took his body back to the Golden State;
Where his mother wept a sad goodbye.
And not a dry eye was to be seen –
Unless you looked into my eyes.

Ride, ride, ride, ride…

Rat a tap tap;
Oh don’t you come and ask;
Am I a coming back?
The sky has gone black on us.

Don’t you weep –
Blame myself for these things
Known I was stronger than he –
And all you weaklings knew it.

Toodle loo;
They all abandoned you
One bruised and another screwed,
But I was the only loved.

Oh, Hannah Leah …
I was the only love.

Keep that bed.
Now brother, keep that rug.
Lord knows I was given so much –
And the devil keeps me fed.

On the wall. On the stove –
And in the blank book you draw –
There are signs of Hannah Leah
There are signs of our love.

Oh, Hannah Leah …
There are signs of love.

On a black, blue night
I go a wandering:
Out over Houston –
Along Avenue A.
Hannah Leah
On Avenue A.

Ku Klux Klan;
There’s evil in every man.
Come love her when you can –
And see about Hannah Leah.

Switchblade, Switchblade, my lovely friend.
I held you so close we two till the bitter end.
One pierce, one cut was one was one too much.
For you, my love: I offer my blood.
Pen knife, pen knife – c'mon All, cheer!
For the words we sing conjures tears.
One word. A mutter with such restrain.
For me, my love, scribe me your pain?
Stiletto, my stiletto!
Will I, may I? See you again tomorrow?
One on one – We two in your room.
For we need not be bride or groom.
One pierce, one cut was one too much.
For you, my love: I offer my blood.
My blood.
My blood.
My blood.

You and I used to meet on the crowded street;
High on absinthe and all distilled so sweet.
Under a doorway lit by a single bulb:
You asked me if I could give you my love.
Sir I cannot give what I do not feel –
So don't ask and ask you wax me ill.
Yet, I should think there a girl
who might take pity on you –
Who'd love you like you know
I could never do.
Nell or Nan won't give you trouble
like you know I would;
Their love is free, which I'm sure you deserve.
Now, let's shake hands and
call ourselves “friend”.
For all things start and
all things must end.
I shall say our time together was
that most pleasant.
Remember me well and
harbor no resentment.
But why you go ‘round and say
that I have no heart?
It don't make sense
– you want what you say I ain't got.
C’mon, now, sir.
Now, I said I could not love you
and that I mean.
Ain't no man gonna put a rope around me.

Ain't no man gonna put a rope around me.
            She ain't said never better wait and see.
Ain't no man gonna put a rope around me.
            She ain't said never better wait and see.