Rainy Day Ladies

My feet know to follow the path of my Lord
That none may lead them astray
So what's this devilry points them toward
The ladies of lush Rainy Day?

I'd like to honor, as Christians must do
His narrow and brightly-lit way
So why's temptation always calling me to
The sisters of sweet Rainy Day?

They tell me Satan, that evil deceiver
Would not see me righteous and pure
So tell me, what would Elijah prescribe for this fever
That only Miss Wurly can cure?

You know Miss Hammond, my darling, they don't understand
They call it a shame, they call it a sin
But I swear by this ring you once took from my hand
I'm coming to see you again, see you again

On workdays I hammer, I measure, I cut
I sweat at my carpenter's bench
And I'm seized by this thirst I fear nobody but
My Rainy Day Ladies can quench

The Lord's thy shepherd, they tell me, remember
And wise and judicious His rule
Oh, but even on Sabbath, my love is an ember
That only Miss Heintzman can cool

I seek out my pastor but cannot confess
You know I will not make hypocrite prayer
Because I look for no placement in heaven unless
My Rainy Day ladies are there

You know Miss Hammond, my darling, they don't understand
They call it a shame, they call it a sin
But I swear by this ring you once took from my hand
I'm coming to see you again, see you again

If God were here now, I would tell him "Your Highness
Beelzebub's fiery lake
Seems to me an oasis compared with the dryness
That only Miss Rhodie can slake

My kinfolk admonish that I shall be lonely
If banished from Abraham's house
Oh but they've never suffered this fire that only
Miss Moog and Miss Fender can douse

For if I were as pious as any churchwarden
In what would it benefit me
Without them as pours out for me my River Jordan
Who fill for me my Galilee?

You know Miss Hammond, my darling, they don't understand
They call it a shame, they call it a sin
But I swear by this ring you once took from my hand
I'm coming to see you again, see you again