Claudia

(album: You Well-Meaning Brought Me Here - 1971)

Friday evening finds me in a favourite bar of mine
Drinking with some friends with whom I like to spend my time
When in comes John and he's bleeding, from his mouth and from his chin
I said "My friend John, come here and tell me what kind of trouble have you been in

And he said, you wont believe it, I can't believe this myself
Will you let me sit down, can you give me a drink, and a handkerchief for my love

You see Friday evening finds me coming down to meet you here
I've got nothing more on my mind than a long cool glass of beer
When these four guys that jumped me, and they did this to my face
And one of them shouted something about my colour and my race

Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but there's this ringing that's in my ears
And if it wasn't for the pain to remind me again, I swear I'd have to break down in tears

And Claudia's from Harlem, she warned it wouldn't do no good
Sitting with your safe friends when you talk of brotherhood
You "back-bar-revolutioneries" only talk about what to do
You end up too drunk on your theories, to ever see then through

Oh no, I cannot believe it, has it really got this late
I can't put the clock back, a few cool beers, and say it's all been a big mistake

Claudia's from Harlem, she's an artist and she works
She's reflected all your sympathy, how can you ask for hers
Too late for you to say now, you know just how she feels
While you fumble with your modelling clay, Claudia builds in steel

And Friday evening finds me stacked up drunk against the wall
Will you hold on John, for I'm feeling bad and if you slip we'll both fall
For John is as white as I am, and we both love everyone
I thought everybody must've known that by now, but they have all gone home

Oh no, I cannot believe it, has it really got this late
I can't put the clock back, a few cool beers, and say it's all been a big mistake
Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but until the ringing is in their ears
They're gonna swear to God they never thought those things could happen here