The Brass Ring

The saddest girl in the whole wide world
I met her on the Quarter
With no regards for vagrancy, no respect for civil order
How young are you, I asked her
How old are you, young lady?
I'm much older than you think, 'cause I have seven babies

Where are those who keep these kids
While you're out on the party?
I leave them where they are safe
At the church of 12th and Harding
The people there they know me well
They ask me very few questions
And if a child should pass before they wake, they'll pray them into heaven

No love and no lover
A murder of crows did sing
We soon will discover
The coffin will wear our brass ring

So where's the father of these kids?
Does he, does he help you ever?
I have no idea where he is
He don't show his face, he knows better
Can I help you go tonight?
It would be my pleasure
And make sure that you arrive all right
Now we could leave together

She said, no, I don't need your company
And I don't want your pity
You'd be wise just to go away
And leave me here where I'm sitting
Is there nothing I can do for you?
Now it's time to scatter
Why do you think there's something wrong with me
There's nothing really the matter?

No love and no lover
A murder of crows did sing
We soon will discover
A coffin will wear our brass ring

I find myself where life could go
I find myself each morning
All the duties of this world
Fell on my shoulders without warning
I make no plans, nor do I care
For the future called tomorrow
This world I've seen here's never fair
So just leave me here with my sorrows

No love and no lover
A murder of crows did sing
We soon will discover
The coffin will wear our brass ring

No love and no lover
A murder of crows did sing
We soon will discover
A coffin will wear our brass ring
Wear our brass ring