Elaine

The hospital called last night

They said you’d gone code silver

They sent the police out searchin’

Found you down at Fifth and Minna

High on crack cocaine

You and Juan Valdez

They sent him back to jail

And they put you back to bed

They called in the mornin’

Said you were found outside

And put the phone down

Your cat jumped on my lap

And I laid down and I took a nap

Feelin’ bad and full of shame

That I somehow contributed to your pain

I wish I could help you with your problems

But babe, I got enough of my own

I fell asleep and dreamed of you

The PA said code blue

I hailed a taxicab

Got there and found you up in west two

My beautiful sweet Elaine

All that was killin’ you finally drained

From your sweet angelic face

And I kneeled down

And whispered your name

I cried and I cried

You crawled and found a corner

And you died

I ought to kiss my sweet Elaine goodbye

And I walked out in the rain

I walked out in the rain

And there you were again

Lookin’ down on me from high

Like a cloud in the sky

I cried and I cried

I remembered all the nights

That I loved my sweet Elaine

And that I kissed my sweet Elaine

And then I looked up high

Saw you floatin’ in the sky

And I cried and I cried

Like a baby I cried

Not much to pick from in my view

Trees that shake when the wind comes through

And boats, I guess, and the water is blue

But I only feel alive when the birds fly

Not much to pick from in my record collection

I sold ‘em all away, don’t want no recollection

I put ‘em in the past, don’t wanna hear the songs

Just wanna play guitar and sing my own

The phone rang, I picked up, it was you

You said you were out there waitin’

I hailed a taxi, pulled up front

There stood a pretty lady smokin’ a cigarette

Lookin’ eight pounds heavier

I helped you into the back

And put your bags in the trunk