GOODNIGHT LADIES

I was down on my luck
I was flying high
Walking a tightrope
Don’t ask why

I flew to the sun
On wings of wax
Landed in New Orleans
Flat on my back 

I drifted to the levee
Broke and forlorn
I took what I could get
Any port in a storm

A woman named Rosa
Said “Let us go down
To that stone house
In Avignon” 

So adieu, bonsoir
Fare-thee-well
Goodnight ladies
I’m under your spell

Adieu, bonsoir
À la prochaine
Goodnight ladies
I’ll see you again 

Got there at midnight
As I looked around
People strolled by
Wearing dressing gowns

All so merry
With nary a frown
I kept a straight face
And played along 

The air was thick with smoke
Up in the salon
Rosa read my palm
As the ladies looked on

She said “Your lifeline’s deep
Money line’s long
You’re just the man we need
In Avignon”

So adieu, bonsoir
Fare-thee-well
Goodnight ladies
I’m under your spell

Adieu, bonsoir
À la prochaine
Goodnight ladies
I’ll see you again 

Next day Rosa said
She had a plan  
For me play the part
Of a preacher man

Selling salvation
On the layaway plan  
No money down
Just pay when you can 

She said “I’ll grease some palms
Maybe break a few bones  
You collect your alms
Cops leave you alone  

We split 50-50
And have our fun
God’s work ain’t never done
In Avignon”

So adieu, bonsoir
Fare-thee-well
Goodnight ladies
I’m under your spell

Adieu, bonsoir
À la prochaine
Goodnight ladies
I’ll see you again 

Since then I ain’t never
Worked too hard
I’m the undisputed king
In this house of cards

And I’m so proud
To wear my crown  
After all I done
For this town 

But lately I been thinking
About the path I’m on
Time’s slipping by
It’s almost gone

Rosa closed up shop
And done moved on
There ain’t much for me now
In Avignon   

So adieu, bonsoir
Fare-thee-well
Goodnight ladies
I’m under your spell

Adieu, bonsoir
À la prochaine 
Goodnight ladies
I’ll see you again