I knew a girl who was almost a lady
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She had a way with all the men in her life
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Every inch of her blossomed in beauty
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And she was born on the fourth of July
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Well she lived in an aluminum house trailer
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And she worked in a juke box saloon
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And she spent all the money I give her
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Just to see the old man in the moon
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Chorus:
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I used to sleep at the foot of Old Glory
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And awake in the dawn's early light
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But much to my surprise
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When I opened my eyes
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I was a victim of the great compromise
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Well we'd go out on Saturday evenings
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To the drive-in on Route 41
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And it was there that I first suspected
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That she was doin' what she'd already done
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She said "Johnny won't you get me some popcorn"
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And she knew I had to walk pretty far
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And as soon as I passed through the moonlight
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She hopped into a foreign sports car
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(Repeat chorus)
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Well you know I could have beat up that fellow
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But it was her that had hopped into his car
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Many times I'd fought to protect her
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But this time she was goin' too far
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Now some folks they call me a coward
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'Cause I left her at the drive-in that night
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But I'd rather have names thrown at me
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Than to fight for a fight that ain't right
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(Repeat chorus)
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Now she writes all the fellows love letters
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Saying "Greetings, come and see me real soon"
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And they go and line up in the barroom
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And spend the night in that sick woman's room
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But sometimes I get awful lonesome
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And I wish she was my girl instead
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But she won't let me live with her
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And she makes me live in my head
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(Repeat chorus)
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Great Compromise
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| John Prine |
