Harlem In Havana

Joni Mitchell



Harlem In Havana LP Version


At the far end of the midway
By the double ferris wheel
There's a band that plays so snaky
You can't help how you feel
Emmie Mae ran away
With a man as dark as night
You can see him, if you go there
Second trumpet to the right

They play 'Night Train'
So snaky
Black girls dancing
Long and lanky
Barkers barking

Step right up, folks
The show is about to begin
It's Harlem in Havana time
Step right in

Silver spangles
See 'em dangle in the farm boy's eyes
Hootchie kootchie
Auntie Ruthie would've cried
If she knew we were on the inside

When Emmie Mae ran away


She came back a bottle blonde
God, the gossips had a gourmet feast
Chomping on how she was born
But miracle of miracles
'Cuz we were underage
She got us nearly front row seats
To the right side of the stage

See that tall girl?
That's a man
That one, too
Big yellow feather fan
Barkers barking

Step right up, folks
The show is about to begin
It's Harlem in Havana time
Step right in

Silver spangles
See 'em dangle in the farm boy's eyes
Hootchie kootchie
Auntie Ruthie would've died
If she knew we were on the inside