MANHATTAN, KANSAS
(Joe Allen)


Sammi Smith - 1972



Manhattan, Kansas ain't no place to have a baby
If you got no man to give it his last name
And my folks back in Manhattan, they didn't want me or my bundle
So I packed my bags and caught the evenin' train

I found a job in Denver washin' dishes in a diner
At least it buys the baby milk to drink
And he once told me I was pretty, but the only ring it got me
Is the ring of grease that runs around the sink

And I lay beside him gentle 'cause he told me that he loved me
But he made me dance before the music played
But at least I didn't beg him, I'd rather wash my dishes
It makes me feel as though my hands are clean

At night I lay here thinkin' 'bout the man back in Manhattan
And how my folks just turned away in shame
And I stare down through the soap suds, reach down and pull the drain plug
And watch while Manhattan drains away

But I lay beside him gentle 'cause he told me that he loved me...
But he made me dance before the music played
But at least I didn't beg him, I'd rather wash these dishes
It makes me feel as though my hands are clean



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - February 2019)