Desolation Row
They're selling postcards of the hangingWell they're painting the passports brownAnd the beauty parlor's filled with sailorsThe circus is in town
Oh now look, here comes the blind commissionerWell they got him in a tranceOne hand is tied to the tight-rope walkerThe other's in his pants
And the riot squad they're restlessThey need somewhere to goAs Lady and I look out tonightFrom Desolation Row
Cinderella, she seem so easy"Well it takes one to know one," she smilesAnd she puts her hands in her back pocketsOh Bette Davis style
And now here comes Romeo, moaning"You Belong to Me I Believe"And someone says, "You're in the wrong place, my friendYou better leave"
And then the only sound that's leftAfter the ambulances goIs Cinderella sweepin' upOn Desolation Row
Now at midnight all the agentsAnd superhuman crewGo out and round up everyoneThat knows more than they do(Knows more than they do)
They're gonna bring 'em to the factoryWhere the heart-attack machineIs strapped across their shouldersAnd then the kerosene
Is brought down from the castlesBy insurance men who goCheck to see that no one is escapingTo Desolation Row
'Cause right now I can't read too goodDon't send me no letters noNot unless you're gonna mail themFrom Desolation Row