Edith And The Kingpin

Album: Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)
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  • The big man arrives
    Disco dancers greet him
    Plain clothes cops greet him
    Small town, big man, fresh lipstick glistening
    Sophomore jive
    From victims of typewriters
    The band sounds like typewriters
    The big man, he's not listening
    His eyes hold Edith
    His left hand holds his right
    What does that hand desire
    That he grips it so tight

    Edith in the ring
    The passed-over girls are conferring
    The man with the diamond ring is purring
    All claws for now withdrawn
    One by one they bring
    His renegade stories to her
    His crimes and his glories to her
    In challenge they look on
    Women he has taken grow old too soon
    He tilts their tired faces
    Gently to the spoon

    Edith in his bed
    A plane in the rain is humming
    The wires in the walls are humming
    Some song, some mysterious song
    Bars in her head
    Beating frantic and snow blind
    Romantic and snow blind
    She says, his crime belongs
    Edith and the kingpin
    Each with charm to sway
    Are staring eye to eye
    They dare not look away
    You know they dare not look away Writer/s: Joni Mitchell
    Publisher: Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Tony B from OxfordshireAlthough written in the 70’s I’ve recently felt that the Kingpin perfectly encapsulates the brooding, malevolent aura of Donald Trump. Is this a song ahead of its time ?
  • Gayle Bell from Dallas, TxThis is beautiful. I have also heard Tina and Herbie's version. Wonderful work.
  • Paul from Washington Dc, Dc"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" is my favorite Joni album and my favorite album of all time, period. This song and "Shades of Scarlett Conquering" are the best songs on the album, I think.
  • Valerie from Phoenix, AzThere is a great new version now of this song by Tina Turner and Herbie Hancock. It's powerful.
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