City of the King

I heard they named St Louis after some French king

She said she's named Marie after the last French queen

The city of the king comes callin' when the sun goes down

But she only likes to call me when no one comes around

The lights on the river shine like a diamond ring

But I haven't got ten dollars in the city of the king

She's bruised behind the makeup that's painted on her face

Another man, another night, another spaded ace

More pain she can't erase

I may be just a jack but I treat her like a queen

Give her only love in the city of the king

One day the Mississippi will wash over everything

In the city of the king

Bottles on the table, dagger shining clean

East side Sunday mornings in the city of the king

We play a game of hearts when times for her are slow

I tell her that I love her but she only says I know

One night I came by, I saw a man with Marie

Fear behind her tears for the city of the king

I saw him raise his fist for the last time I swore

I cut him with my knife, left him bleeding on the floor

I can't come back here no more

I may be just a jack but I treat her like a queen

Give her only love in the city of the king

One day the Mississippi will wash over everything

In the city of the king

I laid low down in Memphis and for a time in New Orleans

Waitin' to return to the city of the king

But news rolled from upriver hit me cold like lead

Marie told folks she'd killed a man then they found her dead

In the river dead

I may be just a jack but I treat her like a queen

Gave her only love in the city of the king

One day the Mississippi will wash over everything

In the city of the king

In the city of the king

In the city of the king