Mr. John Lee what is happening to me
last time I saw you
bringing fire wood into your house
from a tree
but I didn't love you
quite as much
as sweet Marie
the sherriff he never
had to come
to wade through the water
swamps
and some strange mystery
to find Marie

Me clad in Velveteen
red lips and high heeled shoes
i carried you
your weight for a long time
through years and towns and took refuge
and I carried your weight upon mine

Marie got married
to a man

and I found your footsteps
in summer lands
to your lady

Marie has a daughter
and a new city now
and your skin is soft and tired
from the years
but your happy now

Me clad in Velveteen
red lips and high heeled shoes
I carried you
your weight for a long time
through years and towns and took refuge
and I carried your weight upon mine

Mr. John Lee
what is happening to me
last time I saw you
bringing firewood into your house
from a tree