Album: The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle





Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night

With bruised arms and broken rhythm in a beat-up old Buick

But dressed just like dynamite

He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on Easy Street

But they sighed "Johnny it falls apart so easy and you know hearts these days are cheap"

And the pimps swung their axes and said "Johnny you're a cheater."

Well the pimps swung their axes and said "Johnny you're a liar"

And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice said: "Johnny don't cry"

Puerto Rican Jane, oh won't you tell me what's your name.

I want to drive you down to the other side of town where paradise ain't so crowded, there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight

All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight

Pull .38s and kiss the girls good night

Oh good night, it's alright Jane

Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame

We may find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may walk until the daylight maybe



Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh she looked so fine

Like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true but then she really didn't mind

Upstairs a band was playin', the singer was singin' something about goin' home

She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight but just don't leave me alone"



And Johnny cried "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down the cops have found the vein"

Oh them barefoot boys left their homes for the woods

Them little barefoot street boys they say homes ain't no good

They left the corners, threw away all their switchblade knives and kissed each other good-bye



Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape watchin' the kids playin' down the street

He called down "Hey little heroes, summer's long but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore"

Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat, Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on

And the sister prays for lost souls, then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone



Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on

She says "Those romantic young boys

All they ever want to do is fight"

Those romantic young boys

They're callin' through the window

"Hey Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?"

And Johnny whispered:

Good night, it's all tight Jane

I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

We may find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may walk until the daylight maybe