I saw Lily Brown lose her hand in the oil refinery
Oh so clear like autumn dew drops scattered on the air
I saw Lily Brown when the chain snapped quick as lightening
And she fell quick as anything onto the grating there
I felt Lily Brown gasp her last inside of my arms
And she was warm and then was cold
Grease slick in her hair
Who knew Lily Brown?
She was lonesome just like everyone
And her eyes shone gold at midnight in the sodium glare
I knew Lily Brown
She was kind when I was lonely
Took my shift from four 'til noontime
And she combed my hair
Who was Lily Brown before she was one more body?
A crisp malfunction soon replaced and soon repaired
I bore Lily Brown after she lay and rigid
And the Earth was soft and yielding in the summer air
I loved Lily Brown who lost her life to the oil refinery
Oh so clear like autumn dew drops scattered on the air