She could be no good, I'm telling you
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Gather 'round boys for a tale that is tragic and true
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On the Mississippi riverboat, "Magnolia"
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No one onboard was smelling too sweet
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That precious one must have been stamping her feet
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Dictating demands all well and fine
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A few rods west of the Bridgeport line
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But the veil was drawn and the halo slipped
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Tippling tinctures and reciting scripture
|
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Faces where slapped just as kid gloves were suffered
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Vile threats were uttered and challenges were offered
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On the Cumberland riverboat, "E. W. Stephens"
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Daggers were drawn on pistols pulled
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Staggering 'til dawn filled up with whiskey and rum
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And several drunken players ran amok
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Rampaging with the crew around the deck
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And I received a blow that was unkind
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It turned my cheek to the colour of gentian violet
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I wouldn't say that this journey had quite been the highlight
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Of the All-American Tour
|
Teetering on the edge of war
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Out of the genteel Northern prosceniums
|
Filled up with imitation Europeans
|
Down along the river of rough damnations
|
By the blood-stained cotton and the slave plantations
|
|
She could be no good, I'm telling you
|
Gather round boys for a tale that is tragic and true
|
And I received a blow that was unkind
|
It turned my cheek to the colour of gentian violet
|
I wouldn't say that this journey had quite been the highlight
|
Of the All-American Tour
|
Teetering on the edge of war
|
Out of the genteel Northern prosceniums
|
Filled up with imitation Europeans
|
Down along the river of rough damnations
|
By the blood-stained cotton and the slave plantations
|
|
-----------------
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She Was No Good
|
Elvis Costello |