Invitations to my party, send Jones an inviting card.
He got his mean streak from the gutter, got his kindness from God.

Now tugboats paint the river, carry coal to the city in white dock liners.
Happiness on the uptown side at my party in the morning tide.
Oo, la, la, la, blackpatch. Oo, la, la, la, blackpatch. Oo, la, la, la, blackpatch.
In blackpatch, in blackpatch.

Clothespins on wash ropes, window to window tie.
socks and bells and nightgowns, tassels in the morning, tassels in the morning sky.

People are you ready (ready ready)…

Womanchild on the side street, flashing in blackpatch.
Lipstick on her reefer, waiting for a match.