Mr. John Lee what is happening to me
last time I saw you
bringing fire wood into your house
from a tree
but I didn't love you
quite as much
as sweet Marie
the sherriff he never
had [bad word] 
to wade through the water
swamps
and some strange mystery
to find Marie

Me clad in Velveteen
red lips and high heeled shoes
i carried you
your weight for a long time
through years and towns and took refuge
and I carried your weight upon mine

Marie got married
to a man
and I found your footsteps
in summer lands
to your lady

Marie has a daughter
and a new city now
and your skin is soft and tired
from the years
but your happy now

Me clad in Velveteen
red lips and high heeled shoes
I carried you
your weight for a long time
through years and towns and took refuge
and I carried your weight upon mine

Mr. John Lee
what is happening to me
last time I saw you
bringing firewood into your house
from a tree