Where they're painting the passports brown
\nYeah, the beauty parlor's filled with sailors
\nThe circus is in town
\n
\nOh now but here comes the blind commissioner
\nWell, they got him in a trance
\nOne hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
\nThe other's in his pants
\n
\nAnd the riot squad, they're restless
\nThey need somewhere to go
\nAs Lady and I look out tonight
\nFrom Desolation Row
\n
\nCinderella, she seems so easy
\n"Well, it takes one to know one," she smiles
\nAnd she puts her hands in her back pockets
\nBette Davis style
\n
\nNow but in comes Romeo moaning
\n"You belong to me I believe"
\nAnd someone says, "You're in the wrong place, my friend
\nYou better leave"
\n
\nAnd then only sound that's left
\nAfter the ambulances go
\nIs Cinderella sweeping up
\nOn Desolation Row
\n
\nNow at midnight all the agents
\nAnd super-human crew
\nGo out and round up everyone
\nThat knows more than they do
\n
\nThey gonna bring 'em to the factory
\nWhere the heart-attack machine
\nIs strapped across their shoulders
\nAnd then the kerosene!
\n
\nIs brought down from the castles
\nBy insurance men who go
\nCheck to see that no one is escaping
\nTo Desolation Row
\n
\n'Cause right now I can't read too good
\nDon't send me no letters, no
\nNot unless you gotta mail them
\nFrom Desolation Row

\n