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 my bundle
So I took my child
And caught an evening train
I've 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
Was 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 are clean
At night I stands there thinking
About the men back home in Kansas
And how my folks
Just turned away ashamed
I look down through the soap suds
Reach down and pulls the drain plug
And watches
As Manhattan drains away
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 are clean