manhattan, kansas ain't no place to have a baby

when you got no man to give it his last name

and her folks back in manhattan didn't want her or her bundle

so she took her child and caught an evenin' train



she found a job in denver washing dishes in a diner

at least it buys her baby milk to drink

he once told her she was pretty but the only ring it got her

was the ring of grease that runs around the sink



yes she lay beside him gentle

'cause he told her that he loved her

and he made her dance before the music played

but at least she didn't beg him

she'd rather wash her dishes

it makes her feel as if her hands are clean



at night she stands there thinkin'

'bout the man back home in kansas

and how her folks just turned away the shame

she stares down through the soap suds

reaches down and pulls the drain plug

and watches as manhattan drains away



yes she lay beside him gentle

'cause he told her that he loved her

and he made her dance before the music played

but at least she didn't beg him

she'd rather wash her dishes

it makes her feel as if her hands are clean



yes it makes her feel as if her hands are clean