Janie
by Jim Thompson
© 1985 James D. Thompson

Janie was a country girl, the age of 17,
Living down in Chelsea where everything was green,
I'd drive down those county roads in my father's Chevrolet,
Checking myself in the rearview mirror making sure I looked okay.

I'd pull into the driveway, Janie would meet me there,
Take me down the front walk and lead me up the stairs,
I was as green as those Chelsea, but Janie would turn me on,
We'd make out on the floor while her papa mowed the lawn.

(Chorus) Janie got married,
Got a husband who treats her right,
Me: I'm smoking Camels,
and drinking every night.

I bought Janie a green orchid, took her to her Junior prom,
But she was hoping for sweetheart roses, she wore a yellow gown,
Before the prom was over, Janie said let's get out of here,
We stopped into country store and bought a couple beers.

We drove down those county roads, Janie held me tight,
Pulled down a side road on that foggy night,
You know it was my first time, so it's easy to recall,
On the front seat with both doors open 'cause I was so damn tall.

(Chorus) Janie got married,
Got a husband who treats her right,
Me: I'm smoking Camels,
and drinking every night.

Gonna build a giant harp on the mountaintop,
Metal cables and a telephone pole spine,
Every time the cold wind blows,
The whole town will hear me whine.

(Chorus) 'Cause Janie got married,
Got a husband who treats her right,
Me: I'm smoking Camels,
and drinking every night.

I saw Janie a couple more times before I let her slip away,
I never liked the friends she kept or the way she'd spend her days,
I'd even get down on her for smoking cigarettes,
I had dreams of better things, but I haven't found them yet.

(Chorus) Janie got married,
Got a husband who treats her right,
Me: I'm smoking Camels,
and drinking every night.