Ribbon Bows

There is a spring, not far from here

The water runs both sweet and clear —

Both sweet and clear, and cold:

Could crack your bones

With veins of gold

I stood, a-wagging, at the tap;

Just a-waiting on the lagging, rising sap

I held the cold tin ladle to my lip

At the Shrine of the Thousand Arms

I lowered my eyes to sip

What a beautiful day to catch my drift

Or be caught up in it

You want your love, Love?

Come and get your love;

I only took it back

Because I thought you didn't

How my ears did ring

At the municipal pound

From that old hangdog

To which I was bound:

Curled 'round the bottom rung —

Doesn't anybody want you?

Well, come on, darlin

I could use someone like you around

I am not like you, I ain't from this place

And I do reserve the right

To repeat all my same mistakes

And, in the night, like you

I certainly bite and chew

What I can find

And never seem to lose the taste

What a horrible face I feel me make —

For Pete's sake

What you have told me, I cannot erase! —

(Though I keep on saying

And I do believe, it is not too late)

All day, you're hassling me with trifles:

Black nose of the dog, as cold as a rifle

Indicating, with a nudge

God, No God. God, No God

Sweet, appraising eye of the dog

Blink once if god

Twice if no god

My mama may be ashamed of me

With all of my finery:

Carrying on

Whooping it up till the early morn

Lost and lorn

Among the madding revelry!

Sure, I can pass

Honey, I can pass

Particularly when I start to tip my glass

I'll be a sport

And have a go at that old song

Singing unabashed, about

'Them city girls

With their ribbon bows

And their fancy sash...'

But, though I get so sad

(could swear the night

Makes a motion to claim me

Around that second verse)

I reckon I've felt worse

And still held fast

But, later on, when I am alone

Alone at last

Well I take my god to task

I take my god to task