I came to the city from the deep south,
when the mills shut down.
I married a man who treated me,
like he bought me by the pound.

Packed my bags and left,
with just 20 dollars in my purse,
took a lot of jobs,
went from bad to worse.

Now my money's gone,
I'm lying here on this lumpy bed.
Now I don't know if I'm better off,
alive or dead.

Hotel room west side, east side,
men knocking at my door,
hotel room west side, east side,
and I don't care anymore.

Then I met a guy smooth as silk,
in a midtown bar,
he told me with my good looks,
I'd go very far.

I didn't know what he meant,
I thought he was heaven sent,
'til I found out his sweet talking,
added up to street walking.

That was the part,
it finally broke my heart,
I'm lying here on this lumpy bed,
I don't know if I'm better off,
alive or dead.

Hotel room west side, east side,
men knocking at my door,
hotel room west side, east side,
and I don't care anymore.
don't care anymore,
money's all gone,
don't care anymore,
men knocking at my door.