This song depicts an encounter between a man and a con-woman/prostitute. He’s sitting in a hotel lounge, drinking and thinking, with a bet riding on the outcome of a hockey game playing on the TV. The woman approaches and propositions him, aiming to get some money, or at the very least some free d...
[Intro]
He was sitting in the lounge of the Empire Hotel
He was drinking for diversion, he was thinking for himself
A little money riding on the Maple Leafs
Along comes a lady in lacy sleeves
[Verse 1]
She says: "Let me sit down, you know, drinkin' alone's a shame
It's a shame, it's a crying shame
Look at those jokers glued to that damn hockey game
Hey honey, you've got lots of cash
Bring us 'round a bottle and we'll have some laughs
Gin's what I'm drinking, I was raised on robbery"
[Verse 2]
I'm a pretty good cook, I'm sitting on my groceries
Come up to my kitchen, I'll show you my best recipe
I try and I try but I can't save a cent
I'm up after midnight cooking, trying to make my rent
I'm rough but I'm pleasin', I was raised on robbery
[Verse 3]
We had a little money once
They were pushing through a four lane highway
Government gave us three thousand dollars
You should have seen it fly away
First he bought a '57 Biscayne, he put it in a ditch
He drunk up all the rest, that son of a bitch
His blood's bad whiskey, I was raised on robbery
[Verse 4]
You know you ain't bad looking, I like the way you hold your drinks
Come home with me honey, I ain't asking for no full length mink
Hey, where you going? Don't go yet
Your glass ain't empty and we just met
You're mean when you're loaded, I was raised on robbery
Raised on Robbery was written by Joni Mitchell.
Raised on Robbery was produced by Joni Mitchell.
Joni Mitchell released Raised on Robbery on Tue Jan 01 1974.