Live 08 Dec 2001 version
Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm in 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 sighed, "Johnny, it falls apart so easy and you know that hearts these days are cheap"
And the pimps swung their axes, said, "Johnny, you're a liar"
The pimps swung their axes, said, "Johnny, you're a cheater"
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Said, "Johnny, don't cry"
Johnny cried, "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, there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight, they pull thirty-eights and kiss the girls goodnight"
Goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Let the black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the morning light, maybe
Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, yeah, she looked so fine
And like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true, but she didn't really mind
Upstairs the band was playin', the singer was singin' something 'bout going home
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight, but just don't leave me alone"
Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down the cops have found the vein"
All them barefoot boys, they left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said homes ain't no good
They left the corners and they threw away all their switchblade knives
And they kissed each other goodbye
And Johnny was sitting on the fire escape watchin' the kids playin' down in the street
And he called down, "Hey, little heroes, summer's long, but I guess it ain't so sweet around here anymore"
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat; Johnny sits up alone and watches her dreamin' on
And the sister prays for lost souls and breaks down in the chapel after everybody's gone
And Janey moves over to share her pillow, but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
And she sighs, "Those romantic young boys (romantic young boys), all they ever want to do is fight"
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), and they call in through the window:
"Hey, Spanish Johnny, wanna make a little easy money tonight?"
Johnny: "Goodnight, it's all right, 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 morning light, maybe"
Well, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Yeah, 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 morning light, maybe
Well, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Well, I said, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Let's hear it
[Spoken outro:] Yeah, Miss Soozie Tyrell on the violin!
The above lyrics are for the live 08 Dec 2001 performance of INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ, during the last of the five 2001 Asbury Park holiday shows. The song was played in an arrangement featuring Bruce Springsteen on piano and vocals, Soozie Tyrell on violin and backup vocals, Patti Scialfa on backup vocals, and Lisa Lowell on backup vocals.
Bruce Springsteen performed five Asbury Park holiday shows in 2001 (01, 04, 06, 07, and 08 December). These concerts were billed as "Bruce Springsteen with The Max Weinberg 7 and Friends", with The Max Weinberg 7 serving as the house band, and Springsteen bringing guests on and off the stage throughout the shows.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.
List of available versions of INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET on this website:
INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET [Album version]