Lyrics Raised On Robbery (2022 Remaster) - Joni Mitchell

He was sitting in the lounge of the Empire Hotel
He was drinking for diversion, he was thinking for himself
A little money riding on the Maple Leafs
Along comes a lady in lacy sleeves

She says, "Let me sit down, you know, drinkin' alone's a shame
It's a shame, it's a crying shame
Look at those jokers glued to that damn hockey game
Hey honey, you've got lots of cash
Bring us 'round a bottle and we'll have some laughs
Gin's what I'm drinking, I was raised on robbery"

I'm a pretty good cook, I'm sittin' on my groceries
Come up to my kitchen, I'll show you my best recipe
I try and I try, but I can't save a cent
I'm up after midnight cooking, trying to make my rent
I'm rough but I'm pleasin', I was raised on robbery

We had a little money once
They were pushing through a four lane highway
Government gave us three thousand dollars
You should have seen it fly away
First he bought a '57 Biscayne, he put it in a ditch
He drunk up all the rest, that son of a bitch
His blood's bad whiskey, I was raised on robbery

You know you ain't bad looking
I like the way you hold your drinks
Come home with me, honey
I ain't asking for no full length mink
Hey, where you going? Don't go yet
Your glass ain't empty and we just met
You're mean when you're loaded, I was raised on robbery