They're selling postcards of the hanging They're painting the passports brown The beauty parlor is filled with sailors The circus is in town Here comes the blind commissioner They've got him in a trance One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker The other is in his pants And the riot squad they're restless They need somewhere to go As Lady and I look out tonight From Desolation Row.

It's not important what other people call you. If you yourself know you're a fake, that's tougher to live with.

A cat's meow and cow's moo, I can recite them all.

You'll find out when you reach the top, you're on the bottom.

I have tried my hand at bribery, blackmail, and deceit. And I've served time for everything, cept beggin on the street.

They're selling postcards of the hanging They're painting the passports brown The beauty parlor is filled with sailors The circus is in town Here comes the blind commissioner They've got him in a trance One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker The other is in his pants And the riot squad they're restless They need somewhere to go As Lady and I look out tonight From Desolation Row.

Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you.