The Great Compromise

I knew a girl who was almost a lady

She had a way with all the men in her life

Every inch of her blossomed in beauty

She was born on the 4th of July

Well, she lived in an aluminum house trailer

And she worked in a jukebox saloon

And she spent all the money that I give her

Just to see the old man in the moon

I used to sleep at the foot of old glory

And awake in the dawn's early light

But, much to my surprise, when I opened my eyes

I was a victim of the great compromise

Well, we'd go out on Saturday evenings

To the drive-in on route 41

And it was there, that I first suspcted

That she was doin' what she'd already done

She said Johnny, won't you get me some popcorn

And she knew I had to walk pretty far

And, as soon as I passed through the moonlight

She hopped into a foreign sports car

I used to sleep at the foot of old glory

And awake in the dawn's early light

But, much to my surprise, when I opened my eyes

I was a victim of the great compromise

Well, you know, I could have beat up that fella

But it was her that had hopped in his car

Many times, I'd fought to protect her

But this time, she was going too far

Now, some folks, they call me a coward

'Cause I left her at the drive-in that night

But I'd rather have names thrown at me

Than to fight for a thing that ain't right

I used to sleep at the foot of old glory

And awake in the dawn's early light

But, much to my surprise, when I opened my eyes

I was a victim of the great compromise

Now, she writes all the fellas love letters

Saying, greetings, come and see me real soon

And they go and line up in the bar room

Spend the night in that sick woman's room

But sometimes, I get awful lonesome

And I wish she was my girl instead

But she won't let me live with her

And she makes me live in my head

I used to sleep at the foot of old glory

And awake in the dawn's early light

But, much to my surprise, when I opened my eyes

I was a victim of the great compromise