in the valley the girl waits
at the back of a caravan
wears a dress made of rainbows
for a night on the town with her man

he is good to her
he takes care of her
he holds doors for her
settles scores for her
he does what he can

stole a car for a night -
picked her up for the venue -
said farewell to their family
likely never come home again

shine up your shoes
& polish your coffin -
go dress up for the ball
in modern clothes & fake jewels
we can bend all the rules
we won't go home until they drag us out

there's a man who runs this place
built like a chimney and fists like joe brown
he's got tabs on all of the girls
she needs more money to buy her way out

he ain't shit to her
ain't worth the tears to her
there's gold & silver for christian men
he only gives us the back of his hand

how long?
how long?

but tonight
put on your best dress
go dress up for the ball
in modern clothes & fake jewels
we can bend all the rules
we won't go home until they drag us out

shine up your shoes &
polish your coffin
go dress up for the ball
in modern clothes & fake jewels
we can bend all the rules
we won't go home until they drag us out