Sammi Smith – Manhattan Kansas lyrics

(Joe Allen)

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 didn't want me or her bundle
So I took my child and caught an evening train.

I got a job in Denver washing dishes in a diner
At least it buys my baby milk to drink
He once told me I was pretty but the only ring it got me
Is the ring of grease that runs around the sink.

Yes I laid beside him gentle cause he told me that he loved me
And 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 if my hands're clean.

At night I stands there thinkin' bout the men back home in Kansas
And how my folks just turned away ashamed
I look down through the soap suds reache down and pulls the drain plug
And watches as Manhattan drains away...