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 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, there'll be action
goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight
Pull .38s and kiss the girls good night
Oh 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
he'd never be true but then she didn't really mind
Upstairs a band was playin',
the singer was singin' something about goin' 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"
Oh them barefoot boys
left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys
they say homes ain't no good
They left the corners,
threw away all their switchblade knives
and kissed each other good-bye
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 baby
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 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, there'll be action
goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight
Pull .38s and kiss the girls good night
Oh 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
he'd never be true but then she didn't really mind
Upstairs a band was playin',
the singer was singin' something about goin' 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"
Oh them barefoot boys
left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys
they say homes ain't no good
They left the corners,
threw away all their switchblade knives
and kissed each other good-bye
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 baby