The Old Laughing Lady

There’s a fever on the freeway; blacks out the night. There’s a slipping on the stairway – just don’t feel right. And there’s a rumbling in the bedroom and a flashing of light; [then] there’s the old laughing lady, [and] everything is all right.

The Old Laughing Lady

They say the old laughing lady dropped by to call, and when she leaves, she leaves nothing at all.

The Old Laughing Lady

See the drunkard of the village falling on the street: [he] can’t tell his ankles from the rest of his feet. He loves his old laughing lady ’cause her taste is so sweet, but his laughing lady’s loving ain’t the kind he can keep.

The Needle And The Damage Done

I’ve seen the needle and the damage done: a little part of it in everyone. But every junkie’s* like a settin’ sun.

* “junkie” originally refers to a drug addict, particularly one addicted to heroin, seeing as “junk” is slang term for heroin [source]. However, as the term developed in society, it has also evolved to refer to an enthusiasm for anything (such as a “book junkie” being obsessed with books.)

The Needle And The Damage Done

I caught you knockin’ at my cellar door: I love you, baby, can I have some more? Ooh, ooh, the damage done.

I hit the city and I lost my band: I watched the needle take another man. Gone, gone, the damage done.

I sing the song because I love the man! I know that some of you don’t understand [how you need to] milk-blood* to keep from running out.

* “milk-blood” most likely refers to the act of extracting heroin-laden blood, for reinjection at a later time. It usually is one’s own blood, but could also be the blood of someone who has just overdosed. It is done as “insurance” in case one’s heroin supply runs out. [source]

Walk On

I remember the good old days: stayed up all night gettin’ crazed. Then the money was not so good, but we still did the best we could.