Memphis Pearl

Back in Memphis she was a pearl She was everyone's favorite girl Now her eyes have a vacant stare What she wouldn't give to be livin' back there She married a man when she left home She wanted someone she could call her own He was good to her when he wasn't drunk He'd hold her and tell her how pretty she looked Back in Memphis where she grew up The life she knew was just not enough Back in Memphis when she was a girl She thought one day she'd own the world She'd look at the TV and magazines And she'd believe all the pictures she'd seen She'd be wearin' silk and perfume so sweet But those things don't mean much out here on the street Back in Memphis she had fun Goin' around, tellin' everyone She was gonna buy dresses that zip up the side And wear red lipstick, have a nice car to drive She bounces her baby on her knee Sayin' maybe today we'll get lucky, you'll see I promise it won't always be like this Come here, sugar, give Mamma a kiss Back in Memphis another time Didn't look like things would turn out fine Back in Memphis when she was a girl She thought one day she'd own the world Back in Memphis she was a pearl --- Memphis Pearl - Lucinda Williams