All Alone Downtown (1992)

The lights on the signs, O, they shine and they guide her eyes
to everything that they must see
And the beggars and stars, they can hardly be distinguished
from the beggars and the stars to be
There’s no doubt to Suzie, the center of action
is the boulevard for walking around
But she needs that something that’s goin’ to happen
`Cause the sun’s goin’ down
And she’s all alone downtown

Back in Missouri, she remembers it now, there is more there
than she cares to forgive
Her friends will all grow up and marry and die
Never seein’ how other folks live
Her Daddy knows engines and sorrow and bourbon
and walks to the burial ground
He raised up his girl with the back of his hand
and whatever he found
So she’s all alone downtown

(Bridge:) The city, it moves with high-steppin’ shoes
like a cowboy who knows where he’s goin’
And the voice in your mind will decline to the tiniest sound

Though the money is goin’, she knows that she’s growin’
She will find somethin’ or maybe be found
She’s left what’s behind her and meanwhile she’s fine
She’s just all alone downtown

Copyright © 1992 Donald L. McIntyre All Rights Reserved
[originally, 1974, All Alone in New York Town]