The Ballad of Kathryn Johnston

Old Ms. Johnston lived all alone
On the sorry side of town
Broke down cars and burglar bars
On the windows and doors
In case danger comes around
Sitting in her yellow kitchen
Listening to bad news on her A.M. radio
Used to be Louis Armstrong
Then Martin Luther King
Where did everybody go?

Out the window where her garden was
It's not safe to go outside
Old Ms. Johnston in the eye of the storm
It was the safest place to hide

Yeah life's a gamble for the broken and the weak
Dealing with the bangers and drugs
The winos weave and amble
And shuffle on down the street
Steering clear of all the thugs

Now my city hangs her head in shame
Can't tell the truth from all the lies
Everything changed forever
And everything stayed the same
On the night Ms. Johnston died