Thomas Anderson

singer, songwriter, rock 'n' roller

The Angel of Tulsa

by Thomas Anderson

from the album The Debris Field

Playin' "Crow Jane Blues" on a National Steel,

John Dos Passos in an automobile,

Sayin' "You can have it for a steal,"

And plays cross-harp to sweeten the deal.

When the eagle flies they all come 'round

From the piney woods and the shanty towns,

Kansas Katy and Smokehouse Brown

Do the southside shake as the sun goes down.

And I don't know and I don't care,

I turn my back and climb the stairs;

It don't matter what I say or do,

The world goes 'round -- it's nothing new

As the angel of Tulsa spreads her wings,

From the refineries to the St. John 3:16;

There's no disparity, it's all just charity,

She says "Wait and see what the morning brings."

Spade Cooley's ghost won't let me be,

He's ravin' drunk at half past three;

You can call the priest or watch TV

'Til he goes back to Eternity.

And Two-Time Mama she's so infantile,

With her Julia Roberts smile;

She stamps her foot with such style

In boots of gleaming crocodile.

But I don't know and I don't care,

I'm just pullin' things out of the air;

I wear a face of unconcern

Beneath the sky of thunderstorms

Where the angel of Tulsa spreads her wings,

For the sons of beggars and the sons of kings;

I asked her "Where were you, did you hear me calling you,"

And she plays for you a harp with golden strings.

So William Shakespeare and John Keats

Plug in their amps down on Maxwell Street,

And rock the hits with a teenage beat

And pick up nickels at their feet.

I'll be drivin' 'cross the Texas line

Long before the daylight shines,

When you change water into wine

Maybe you can change my mind.

But I don't know and I don't care,

Remember me in all your prayers;

The world is harsh and the world is cold

And every heart is bought and sold,

As the angel of Tulsa spreads her wings,

Lift up your head you can hear a choir sing;

You'll hear the last chord ring off the buildings echoing,

And she says "It only seems to be a dream."