Bruce Springsteen
Incident On 57th Street
Written by - Bruce Springsteen
From - The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle
Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm and 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 said, 'Johnny, it falls apart so easy
And you know hearts these days are cheap'
And the pimps swung their axes and said, 'Johnny, you're a cheater'
Well, 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'
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
And there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All the golden heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight
Pull thirty-eights and kiss their girls good night

Good night, it's alright, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe

Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves
Oh, she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet she knew she'd never be true
But then she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin'
And the singer was singin' something about 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'
Them bare foot boys left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys
They said their homes ain't no good
They left the corners
Threw away their switchblade knives and kissed each other goodbye

Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape watchin'
The kids playin' down the street
He called down, 'Hey little heroes
Summer's long but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat
Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls
Then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone

Jane moves over to share her pillow
But opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says, 'Those romantic young boys
All they ever want to do is fight
Those romantic young boys
They're callin' through the window
'Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?'

And Johnny whispered, 'Good night
It's all tight Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
We may find it out on the street tonight now, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, baby
Good night, it's alright Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
We can find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until it's daylight, maybe'
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