hot air hangs like a dead man

from a white oak tree

people sitting on porches

thinking how things used to be

dark night

dark night



the neighborhood was changing

strangers moving in

a new boy fell for a local girl

when she made eyes at him



she was young and pretty

no stranger to other men

but doors were being locked at night

old lines were drawn again



(Chorus)



I thought things like that

didn't matter anymore

I thought all the blood

had been shed long ago

dark night

dark night



he took her to the outskirts

and pledged his love to her

they thought it was their secret

but someone knew where they were



he held her so close

he asked about her dreams

there was a shot from a passing car

and the young girl screamed



(repeat chorus