Mama's air-conditioning went out in july

She bought me this guitar, never said why

I hastily moved in with a friend of a friend

Who danced in silver city late at night.

She danced in silver city way back when

Taking easy money off the good-time men

The skyline shined like emeralds in her eyes

As she danced in silver city late at night.

Joshua, my brother, said he'd help me out

When I took up his offer, I had my doubts

Everybody went to prison who didn't die to pay their debt

I woke up in new york city soaking wet.

I woke up in new york city without a name

Wasn't long before I learned the hustler's game

Just a cold boy from south texas, you can bet

I woke up in new york city soaking wet.

Then I met a sparkling woman whose first name was nell

She said, "boy, you're a star and I can tell"

But the young are often desperate and hardly take their rest

I fell apart the way you might have guessed.

She danced in silver city way back when

Taking easy money off the good-time men

The skyline shined like emeralds in her eyes

As she danced in silver city late at night.