"While driving to a gig in Vancouver, I found myself circling the block, past young women and men who stood on the street corners. Later in the bar between sets, I chatted with some of them; it felt like we were colleagues. We served, after all, some of the same clientele."

Lyrics

Mary's on the Corner © Bruce Wozny 1985

Mary's on the Corner in her high heels in the rain
She's had a shot against the night and one to ease the pain
waiting for a man named John, gonna take him to her room
Mary lights a cigarette, and freshens her perfume

Mary's on the corner, and her earrings catch the light
she wears a low-necked sweater and she leans against the night
She's gonna ask what time it is, does he have some place to go?
She'll ask him if he's lonely, but she don't wanna know

Mary's on my mind tonight, I don't know what to feel
wonder if I'm wrong to even care
Mary's on the corner and I'm here behind the wheel
trying hard to look but not to stare

Mary's on the corner and I drive by once again
Mary tries to look at me, but she can't see through the rain
Suddenly I see the child that she was yesterday
Afraid of what I feel for her, I turn and look away

Mary's on my mind tonight, I don't know what to feel
wonder if I'm wrong to even care
Mary's on the corner and I'm here behind the wheel
trying hard to look but not to stare

Mary's on the Corner in her high heels in the rain
She's had a shot against the night and one to ease the pain
Underneath the traffic light, gonna be there 'til the dawn
Mary's on the corner, it's time to move along