Debra Cowan - Lili Marlene Walks Away lyrics

Joseph is the legless soldier selling souvenirs of the war Outside a bombed out church where no one wants to worship anymore Beneath the houses and the ruined flats Women and children crouch like cellar rats “Give us our daily bread” they pray Lili paints her nails, puts on her nylons and prepares to walk away Lili Marlene walks away Jesus is the old woman begging on the corner of the street Where little children sell themselves to anyone for a bite to eat A piece of chocolate or chewing gum A candy bar or any little crumb “Our Father, where art thou?” they pray Lili combs her hair puts on her party dress and turns to walk away Lili Marlene walks away Maria is the virgin on the mattress in a backroom up the stairs Disciples come in queues at night to kneel between her legs and offer prayers A pack of cigarettes buys innocence A jar of coffee for the sacraments “Forgive our trespa**es” they pray Lili checks her lipstick gives her brightest smile and quickly walks away Lili Marlene walks away How to buy the milk to feed his baby growing in her every day A quick encounter on a dustbin lid along a lonely alleyway Against a barrack wall at dead of night Communion underneath the broken light “Thy kingdom come to us” they pray Lili smoothes her stockings in a state of grace and slowly walks away Lili Marlene walks away Lili Marlene walks away Lili Marlene walks away