[Verse 1]
Well, the sweet pretty things, they're in bed now, of course
City fathers they’re trying to endorse
Reincarnation of Paul Revere’s horse
But the town has no need to be nervous

[Verse 2]
Ghost of Belle Starr she hands down her wits
Jezebel the nun she violently knits
Bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits
At the head of the chamber of commerce

[Chorus]
Mama’s in the fact’ry she ain’t got no shoes
Daddy’s in the alley
He’s lookin’ for the fuse
I’m in the kitchen with the
Tombstone blues

[Verse 3]
Hysterical bride in the penny arcade
Screaming she moans, “I’ve just been made”
Sends out for the doctor who pulls down the shade
Says, “My advice is to not let the boys in”

[Verse 4]
Now the medicine man comes
He shuffles inside
He walks with a swagger and he says to the bride
“Stop all this weeping and swallow your pride
You will not die, it’s not poison”
[Chorus]
Mama’s in the fact’ry
Ain’t got no shoes
Daddy’s in the alley
Lookin’ for the fuse
I’m in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

[Verse 5]
Where Ma Rainey and Beethoven unwrapped their bedroll
Tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole
And the National Bank at a profit sells road maps for the soul
To the old folks home and the college

[Verse 6]
I wish I could write you a melody so plain
[?] lady, I'm going insane
Doctors weeping, it's useless pain
Like useless and pointless knowledge

[Chorus]
Mama’s in the fact’ry
Ain’t got no shoes
Daddy’s in the alley
Lookin’ for the fuse
I’m in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues