East Side Story

Beneath the bare light bulb above

She gazed into the eyes of love

Bathed in the dirty neon light

She begged him, "Don't go out tonight

If we work out somehow, maybe

We could find a way out, baby"

And he laughed and said, "I got to go"

And she cried, "No

Johnny, Johnny, no

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, no"

His arms were warm and strong and young

"I promise I won't hurt no one

Oh baby, when you gonna learn

Them folks uptown got bread to burn?

When they see me flash my knife

They'll be fearin' for their life

They won't give me trouble, this I know"

And she cried, "No

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, no

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, no"

The night passed like a thousand years

The tenement room had cooled her tears

Then came a knock upon the door

Two men she'd never seen before

"Did you know Johnny Brown, Miss?

We hate to tell you this but

Has he a relative you know?"

And she cried, "No

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, no

Johnny, Johnny, why'd you go?

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, no

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, no"