Sweet Lorraine, the fiery-haired and brown-eyed schemer Who came from a long line of drinkers and dreamers Who knew that sunshine don't hold up to dark Whose businesses fail, who sleep in the park Lorraine who spoke of paintings in Paris And outlandish things to her family just to scare us Whose heart went pokin' where it shouldn't ought to Whose mother could only spit at the thought of Lorraine, sweet Lorraine Her father would tear out like a page of the bible Then he'd burn down the house to announce his arrival Her mother was working and never was home Lorraine carved out a little life of her own Lorraine started working, Lorraine went to school Her mother threw stones at her on the day that she moved Now isn't that a very strange thing to do For someone who never really wanted you Lorraine, sweet Lorraine Her daddy called her a slut and a hoar On the night before her wedding day The very next morning at the church Her daddy gave Lorraine away Lorraine, sweet Lorraine In the battle of time, in the battle of will It's only your hope and your heart that gets killed And it gets harder and harder, Lorraine, to believe in magic When what came before you is so very tragic Lorraine, sweet Lorraine Lorraine, sweet Lorraine