The sweet pretty things are in bed now of course The city fathers they're trying to endorse The reincarnation of Paul Revere's horse But the town has no need to be nervous The ghost of Belle Starr, she hands down her wits To Jezebel the nun who violently knits A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits At the head of the chamber of commerce Mama's in the fact'ry, she ain't got no shoes Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for the fuse I'm in the streets with the tombstone blues The hysterical bride in the penny arcade Screaming she moans, "I've just been made" Then she sends out for the doctor who pulls down the shade Says, "My advice is to not let the boys in" Now the medicine man comes and he shuffles inside He walks with a swagger and he says to the bride "Stop all this weeping and swallow your pride You will not die, it's not poison" Mama's in the fact'ry, she ain't got no shoes Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for the fuse I'm in the streets with the tombstone blues Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief Looks up to his hero the Commander-in-Chief "Tell me great hero, but please make it brief Is there a hole for me to get sick in?" The Commander-in-Chief answers him, chasing a fly Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry" And dropping a bar bell he points to the sky Saying, "The sun is not yellow it's chicken" Mama's in the fact'ry, she ain't got no shoes Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for the fuse I'm in the streets with the tombstone blues