This song was mentioned by GUEST,JAZE on 19-Dec-2000:


RAISED ON ROBBERY
As recorded by Joni Mitchell on "Court and Spark" (1974)

He was sitting in the lounge of the Empire Hotel
He was drinking for diversion; he was thinking for himself,
A little money riding on the Maple Leafs.
Along comes a lady in lacy sleeves.

She says: "Let me sit down; you know, drinkin' alone's a shame. (It's a shame; it's a crying shame.)
Look at those jokers glued to that damn hockey game.
Hey, honey, you've got lots of cash.
Bring us round a bottle and we'll have some laughs.
Gin's what I'm drinking; I was raised on robbery.

"I'm a pretty good cook; I'm sitting on my groceries.
Come up to my kitchen; I'll show you my best recipe.
I try and I try but I can't save a cent.
I'm up after midnight cooking, trying to make my rent.
I'm rough but I'm pleasin'; I was raised on robbery.

"We had a little money once; they were pushing through a four lane highway.
Government gave us three thousand dollars; you should have seen it fly away.
First he bought a '57 Biscayne; he put it in the ditch.
He drunk up all the rest, that son of a bitch.
His blood's bad whiskey; I was raised on robbery.

"You know you ain't bad looking; I like the way you hold your drinks.
Come home with me, honey; I ain't asking for no full-length mink.
Hey, where you going? Don't go yet.
Your glass ain't empty and we just met.
You're mean when you're loaded; I was raised on robbery."