Testo Mary Jane

mary jane got married at 17.
he was the loveliest man she'd ever seen,
till the day six months after the baby came
and then he became a man who inflicts pain.

mary jane forgot her past and changed her name.
she learned to sing the blues,
sewed on sequins, and high-heeled shoes.
she took off her glasses and took the stage.
the audience vanished in the haze.
she bowed and blew a kiss.

mary jane was little abner's daisy mae.
a sweet marlene,
a geisha girl and salome.
a cowgirl too,
she spun her pistols to the roof.

a poor man's marilyn monroe,
he never came to sit in the front row.
he never heard her sing.
they live today
in a quiet suburb of tampa bay.
he drives to the bank,
takes her out to eat at burger king.
she walks the dog,
keeps the radio on in every room.

a silver wedding anniversary,
the children pray he'll be the first to leave.
she gave her life to her man who wanted just a wife.

mary jane was little abner's daisy mae.
a sweet marlene,
a geisha girl and salome.
a cowgirl too,
she spun her pistols to the roof.