The Wild, the innocent and the E street shuffle

Released: 11.Sep.1973

Incident on 57th street

Lyrics By Bruce Springsteen

Spanish Johnny drove in

from the underworld last night

With bruised arms and broken rhythm in a beat-up old Buick

But dressed just like dynamite

He tried sellin' his heart

to the hard girls over on Easy Street

But they sighed "Johnny it falls apart so easy

and you know hearts these days are cheap"

And the pimps swung their axes

and said "Johnny you're a cheater."

Well the pimps swung their axes

and said "Johnny you're a liar"

And from out of the shadows

came a young girl's voice

said: "Johnny don't cry"

Puerto Rican Jane,

oh won't you tell me what's your name.

I want to drive you down to the other side of town

where paradise ain't so crowded,

there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight

All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight

Pull .38s and kiss the girls good night

Oh good night, it's alright Jane

Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame

We may find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may walk until the daylight maybe

Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves,

oh she looked so fine

Like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true

but then she didn't really mind

Upstairs a band was playin',

the singer was singin' something about goin' home

She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight,

but just don't leave me alone"

And Johnny cried "Puerto Rican Jane,

word is down the cops have found the vein"

Oh them barefoot boys they left their homes for the woods

Them little barefoot street boys they say homes ain't no good

They left the corners,

threw away all their switchblade knives

and kissed each other good-bye

Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape

watchin' the kids playin' down the street

He called down "Hey little heroes, summer's long

but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore"

Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat,

Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on

And the sister prays for lost souls,

then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone

Jane moves over to share her pillow

but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on

She says "Those romantic young boys

All they ever want to do is fight"

Those romantic young boys

They're callin' through the window

"Hey Spanish Johnny,

you want to make a little easy money tonight?"

And Johnny whispered:

Good night, it's all tight Jane

I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

We may find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may walk until the daylight maybe

Good night, it's all right Jane

I'll gonna mett you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

We can find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may walk until the daylight maybe 

Good night, it's all right Jane

I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

now we may find it out on the street tonight baby

Or we may have walk until the morninglight maybe