I n Scarlet Town where I was born
T here's ivy leaf and silver thorn
T he streets have names that you can't pronounce
G old is down to a q uarter of an ounce
T he music starts and the people sway
E verybody says "Are you going my way? "
U ncle Tom still workin' for Uncle Bill
S carlet Town is u nder the hill.
S carlet Town in the month of May
S weet William Holme on his deathbed lay
M istress Mary by the side of the bed
K issin' his face and heapin' p rayers on his head
S o brave so true so gentle is he
I 'll weep for him as he would weep for me
L ittle Boy Blue come your blow horn
I n Scarlet Town wher e I was born
S carlet Town in the hot noon hours
T here's palm-leaf shadows and scattered flowers
B eggars crouching at the gate
H elp comes but it co mes too late
B y marble slabs and in fields of stone
Y ou make your humble wishes known
I touched the garment but the hem was torn
I n Scarlet Town whe re I was born
I n Scarlet Town the end is near
T he Seven Wonders of the World are here
T he evil and the good livin' side by side
A ll human forms se em glorified
P ut your heart on a platter and see who will bite
S ee who will hold you and kiss you good night
T here's walnut groves and maplewood
I n Scarlet Town cryin' w on't do no good
I n Scarlet Town you fight your father's foes
U p on the hill a chilly wind blows
Y ou fight 'em on high and you fight 'em down in
Y ou fight 'em with whiskey m orphine and gin
Y ou've got legs that can drive men mad
A lot of things we didn't do that I wish we had
I n Scarlet Town the sky is clear
Y ou'll wish to God that you st ayed right here
S et 'em Joe play "Walkin' the Floor"
P lay it for my flat-chested junkie whore
I 'm staying up late I'm making amends
W hile we smile all h eaven descends
I f love is a sin then beauty is a crime
A ll things are beautiful in their time
T he black and the white the yellow and the brown
I t's all right there in front of you in Scarlet Town
