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Philadelphia Lawyer

Way out in Reno, Nevada,
Where romance blooms and fades,
A great Philadelphia lawyer
Was in love with a Hollywood maid.

"Come, love, and we'll go ramblin'
Down where the lights are so bright.
I'll win you a divorce from your husband,
And we can get married tonight."

Wild Bill was a gun-totin' cowboy,
Ten notches were carved in his gun.
And all the boys around Reno
Left Wild Bill's maiden alone.

One night when Bill was returning
From ridin' the range in the cold,
He dreamed of his Hollywood sweetheart,
Her love was as lasting as gold.

As he drew near her window,
Two shadows he saw on the shade;
'Twas the great Philadelphia lawyer
Makin' love to Bill's Hollywood maid.

The night was as still as the desert,
The moon hangin' high overhead.
Bill listened awhile through the window,
He could hear ev'ry word that he said:

"Your hands are so pretty and lovely,
Your form's so rare and divine.
Come go with me to the city
And leave this wild cowboy behind."

Now tonight back in old Pennsylvania,
Among those beautiful pines,
There's one less Philadelphia lawyer
In old Philadelphia tonight.

 

Available on:
This Land Is Your Land: Asch Recordings Volume 1
Woody Guthrie
Folkways: The Original Vision
Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly

Words and Music by Woody Guthrie
© Copyright 1949 (renewed) by Woody Guthrie Publications , Inc.
Administered by Bug Music

Contact The Publisher
Woody Guthrie Publications Inc c/o Bug Music
7750 Sunset Boulevard / Los Angeles, CA 90046
Web site: www.bugmusic.com

 


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