Chicago: Mah-Jong

Third floor walk-up
One block east of Chinatown
She walked by my window
While the rain is pouring down

Looking in she sees
The easy money lying everywhere
And it's clear she don't approve
(And it's clear she don't approve)

Through a cloud of smoke
I shoot a little smile over there
And I know what she's thinking

She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
She know Mah-Jong
Waste your life away
(Don't you throw it away)
She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
But she loves the player

With the dark eyes burning
I am opening the wall
(Can there be no other chance?)

I feel my fortune's turning
And I wish for nothing else at all
(Than to run to her)

Looking up I see her signal
With her fingers through her hair
Telling me the hands are clean

Understanding well
I turn a dragon tail into a pair
And the game is over

She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
(She don't play)
She know Mah-Jong
Waste your life away
(Don't you throw it away)
She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
Though I don't obey her
Still she loves the player

She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
She know Mah-Jong
Waste your life away
(Don't you throw it away)
She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
Though I don't obey her
Still she loves the player

Three floors up from where the lanterns
Light the parlors on the street
There awaits another world
(There awaits another world)

And though there are not many things
Upon which she and I agree
We enjoy the difference

She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
(Don't you play)
She know Mah-Jong
Waste your life away
(Don't you throw it away)
She know Mah-Jong
Mah-Jong she don't play
Though I don't obey her
Still she loves the player