Filipino Dance Hall Girl

Ry Cooder · I, Flathead [2008]

Oh when the evening shadows fall

I am dreaming

Of a certain smile

A secret rendezvous

And when the day is past and gone

I'll come creeping

To the dark end of the street

Again to you

When a dimly lit café has ? dancing

I try to smile and hide a love that's true

Then they play a lovely tune as we're romancing

Then I can't pretend no matter what I do

Dark and different

So they tell me

It's forbidden

So they say



But I just tell them

We're so happy

She's my Filipino Dancehall Girl

Good friends all have withdrawn their salutations

Good neighbors pause when I come down the street

Preacher has a look of scorn on Sunday morning

And there's a frown on every face I see

Que Sera Sera the Bible tells me

? , so they say

But I just tell them "Adios Muchacho"

She's my Filipino Dancehall Girl

Then she whispers

While we're dancing

In a language soft and low

I just tell her "Darling I Love You"

You're my Filipino Dancehall Girl

(Aw Step On It!)