San Francisco Mabel Joy

(Album: Tattoo - 1977)

My daddy was an honest man, just a redneck Georgia farm boy
My momma spent her short life, raising kids and bailing hay
And I was just fifteen when I ached inside to wonder
So I hoped a freight in Waycross and I rode it to L.A.

Well, I met a girl known on the strip as San Francisco's Maybel Joy
Destitutions child, born on a L.A. street called Shane
And sleep came and left this little Waycross Georgia country boy
Maybel Joy was gone, Lord, I'd never see her again

Growing up came quietly in the arms of Maybel Joy
Laughter found our morning's, brought new meaning to my life
I woke up one day, Lord to find that I was by myself
With dreams of Georgia cotton and California wine

Sunday morning found me standing 'neath the red-light of her door
Right 'cross sent me reeling, laid me face down on the floor
In place of Maybel Joy I found a merchant mad marine
Who said, "Your Georgia neck is red but son you're still green"

Well, I turned twenty one in gray rock federal prison
The judge, he had no mercy on this Waycross, Georgia boy
Sometimes at night in silence, Lord, I'd listen
That same old freight to take me back to Maybel Joy

Cold nights had no pity on this Waycross, Georgia farm boy
Springtime turned to summer and then the winter came
Staring at those four gray walls in silence, Lord, I'd listen
Somewhere in the distance to the whistle of the train

Sunday morning found me lying 'neath the red light of her door
With a bullet in my side I cried, "Have you seen Maybel Joy?"
Stunned and shaken someone said, "Son, she don't live here no more"
She left this town ten years ago, I heard she's looking for
Some Georgia farm boy"