manhattan, kansas

manhattan

kansas ain't no place to have a baby

when you got no man to give it his last name

and my folks back in manhattan didn't want me or my bundle

so i took my child and caught an evening train

and i found a job in denver washing dishes in a diner

at least it buys the baby milk to drink

he once told me i was pretty but the only ring he got me

is the ring of grease that runs around the sink

yes

i lay 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

'cause it makes me feel as if my hands are clean

sometimes i stand here thinkin'

about a man back home in kansas

and how the folks just turned away ashamed

now i stare down through the soapsuds

and reach down and pull the drain plug

and watch it as manhattan floats away

yes

i lay 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

'cause it makes me feel as if my hands are clean

yes

it makes me feel as if my hands are clean