Darling West 12th and Porter song lyrics

Mary was never at ease with what life had brought her

When things came out this way she'd care more for the other

Most of the time she would make up her mind

By simply flipping a coin

Holding her bets on both sides of the quarter

Then feeding the cigarette machine down at 12th & Porter

Days like this made her think of her mother

Nothing could make her come back she knew she shouldn't bother

"it's nuttin budda sin you don't learn how to swim

Yer ma would've cared for it too,

Feet up head back" her daddy had told her

Cumberland river's just a walk down from 12th & Porter

The night was so warm she laid back to float like a daughter

Of the motherly nearness in the washing of the water

The river caressed her and gently undressed her

She knew she would never go down

If she could lay still and follow the wave that had caught her

Nowadays the machine holds a sign that says;

"Slot out of order, one dollar bills only. No change. Staff 12th & Porter"