PHILADELPHIA LAWYER (Woody Guthrie)


Way out in Reno Nevada where romances bloom and fade
There was a Philadelphia lawyer making love to a Hollywood maid

Come love and we will go gambling down where the lights are so bright
I’ll win you a divorce from your husband and we can get married tonight

Now Bill was a gun-toting cowhand Ten notches was carved on his gun
And all of the boys around Reno left Bill’s Hollywood sweetheart alone

One night when Bill was returning from riding the range in the cold
He was thinking ‘bout his Hollywood sweetheart Her love was as lasting as gold

INTERLUDE

As he drew near to her window Two shadows he saw on her shade
Twas the great Philadelphia lawyer making love to Bill’s Hollywood maid

Now the night was as still as the desert and the moon hanging high overhead
Bill listened awhile through the window he could hear every word that they said

Your hands are so pretty and lovely Your form so rare and divine
Come go back with me to Philadelphia and leave this wild cowboy behind

Now tonight back in old Pennsylvania amongst her beautiful pines
There’s one less Philadelphia lawyer in old Philadelphia tonight