HENRY BOY^©

Studio version

They broke your toys this morning, Henry, rode your board right into dust
Surrounded you with strangers who you could not trust
And then they had the gall
To write your name up on the girl's room wall
And send you out to Maria who spoke of babies and all
And wanted to shoot your joy
It's a hard world when you're the new kid in town, ain't it, Henry Boy

Well the North side is for diamond studded women subtly selling their wares
And the West side is for debutantes and would be millionaires
Oh the East side is for lost boys who know their moves too well
The South side is for gamblers, Henry, the train stops once for hell
It's a hard world when they're forcing you to live your life out on Broadway
But Henry I'm sure you're gonna like it well

Whoa the constellation she points to Gate Eleven, that's where you got your connections
Let me take a look inside my magic book, I don't think you're beyond my inventions
Whoa these doctor's appendages I'm giving you for wings, I'm sure it will meet the occasion
I'm gonna mix you some magic, you'll be spittin' sparks and ready for the invasion

Whoa and the Milky Way's a trip for dippers, they saw you coming a mile away
In the amusement park you'll get clipped by rippers hiding behind candy 'cades
In the alleyway you'll get ripped by strippers all who know your name
In the stalls sit the soldier-boy kissers on leave for just a day
And Henry couldn't take it, he's gonna be a submariner riding underground for the Pope
Gonna stand on the corner of Broadway, and scream "Up 'scope"

Whoaoaoa

Recorded between Jun and Jul 1972 at Media Sound Studios, New York City, NY. However, according to Brucebase, the song was recorded between May and Jun 1972 at Pocketful Of Tunes Studios, New York City, NY. This recording was purchased by JEC Music USA but never included on any of their associated-licensed CD releases (read below). It can be found on The Unsurpassed Springsteen Vol. 4, The Demo Tapes, and many other bootlegs. These lyrics refer to that studio version.

As far as it's known, the song was performed live at least once in Aug 1972 at Max's Kansas City, New York City, NY. Check the live 10 Aug 1972 version.

From Brucebase, about the Apr 1972 to Feb 1973 demo recordings:

One of the master recordings purchased by JEC Music USA, registered by them at the Library Of Congress, but never issued on any of JEC's associated-licensed CD releases (Prodigal Son, Unearthed, or Before The Fame). Collectors will have to make do with the same (but lesser sound quality) recording found on The Unsurpassed Springsteen Vol. 4 and elsewhere. A live audio-video solo performance from Aug 1972 at Max's Kansas City is in circulation.