Houston Street

[Verse 1]
A man lay dead on Houston Street
But I could not feel the pain
The path of least resistance
Is drivin' me insane
And it's hard to please your conscience
When all of love's a crime
And it's hard to call the police
With your last lousy dime

[Chorus]
I know you're just laughin'
'Cause there's nothin' else to do
But you might die laughin'
'Cause the joke's on you

[Verse 2]
Crazy Alice was a would-be actress
Until she got bored with the lines
Started practicing insanity
When she got no valentines
Now she plays the part of a lovеr
In the late-night pickup bars
And I might go on home with hеr
If I didn't mind the scars

[Chorus]
I know you're just laughin'
'Cause there's nothin' else to do
But you might die laughin'
'Cause the joke's on you

[Verse 3]
I never had a Nathan's hot dog
Until the old man died
So you couldn't call him famous
You could only say he lied
And the proof ain't in the puddin'
When there ain't no puddin' at all
And it's hard to take the kiddin'
When there's nowhere left to fall

[Chorus]
I know you're just laughin'
'Cause there's nothin' else to do
But you might die laughin'
'Cause the joke's on you

[Verse 4]
My dreams they reek of madness
And I try to understand
How people can rely on sadness
As the only card in their hand
And you find out 'bout the weather
When you get rain in your eyes
And you find out who your friends are
As a consolation prize

[Chorus]
I know you're just laughin'
'Cause there's nothin' else to do
But you might die laughin'
'Cause the joke's on you

[Verse 5]
A man lay dead on Houston Street
He'd been dead for many days
And they all walked by with nervous feet
As though he was just drunk or dazed
After all there was nothin' they could do
Like donate time or money
But I'm goin' back to Houston
Where they don't talk so funny

[Chorus]
I know you're just laughin'
'Cause there's nothin' else to do
But you might die laughin'
'Cause the joke's on you