Philadelphia Lawyer: Lyrics

Woody Guthrie

• LP Songs of Woody Guthrie

Way out in Reno, Nevada,
Where the romances bloom and they fade,
Was a great Philadelphia lawyer
In love with a Hollywood maid.

"Come love, and we will wander
Out where the lights are so bright.
I'll win you a divorce from your husband,
And we can get married tonight."

Now Bill was a gun-totin' cowboy,
With ten notches was carved on his gun;
And all the boys around Reno
Left Wild Bill's darling alone.

One night when Bill was returning
From riding the range in the cold,
He thought of his Hollywood darling
With her love was as lasting as gold.

As Bill drew near to her window,
Two shadows he saw on that shade:
Was the great Philadelphia lawyer
Makin' love to Bill's Hollywood maid.

The night was as still as the desert,
And the moon hanging high overhead,
Bill listened a while at the window,
He could hear every word that was said.

"Your face is so pretty and lovely,
And your form so rare and divine!
Come, go with me to Philadelphia
And leave this wild cowboy behind."

Well tonight back in old Pennsylvania,
Amongst her beautiful pines,
There's one less Philadelphia lawyer
In old Philadelphia tonight.

Of note:

An unusual performance, with the sterling Eric Weisberg on mandolin, giving a old-timey flavor to this tale. Sounds as if it came from the hills of Carolina.

We welcome any suggestions, contributions, or questions. You send it, we'll consider using it. Help us spread the word. And the music. And thanks for visiting.