Blackpatch

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



Ooh, la, la, la, blackpatch

Ooh, la, la, la, blackpatch

Ooh, 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)

People, are you trying?



Ready, ready, ready, ready

(Ready, I'm ready)

I'm ready, I'm ready



Womanchild on the side street

Flashing in blackpatch

Lipstick on her reefer

Waiting for a match