Live 31 Jul 2008 version
[Spoken intro:] Whoa! All right. For the old bald men!
That's it, Max! Keep pushing, band! Everybody, now!
One, two, one, two, three, four!
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 cheater"
Yeah, the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a liar"
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, 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 'til the morning light, maybe
Well, like a cool Romeo he made his move, 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"
And Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down the cops have found the vein"
The little barefoot boys, they left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they say homes ain't no good
They left the corners, and they threw away all their switchblade knives
And they kissed each other goodbye
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 no more"
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat; Johnny sits up alone and watches her dreamin' on
Sisters pray for lost souls and break down in the chapel after everybody's gone
Janey moves over to share her pillow, but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She sighs, "Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), all they ever want to do is fight"
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), call in through the window:
"Hey, Spanish Johnny, you wanna make a little easy money tonight?"
And Johnny sighed, "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 'til the morning light, maybe"
Yeah, 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 'til the morning light, maybe
Goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Well, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
The above lyrics are for the live 31 Jul 2008 performance of INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, during the Magic Tour. The song was played in its traditional full-band arrangement and featured Charles Giordano on organ.
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]
