THE WISH

My fairy godmother
Is a different girl
Black shirt, white tie, velvet gloves
Graying curls
She smokes those long, dark cigarettes
That burn like tar and licorice
Stands by the beggerman's fountain
Drops a coin, says, "Make a wish
Make a wish, kid
Make a wish, kid"

Dream
Just for a day
Take me alive
Take me away

This isn't the first time
She's called out my name
But I lost my nerve and she faded away
Like a dying flame
And now she's come from years away
Where I left my dreams behind
She says, "Baby, there's an easy way
And you ain't got much time
Make a wish, kid
Make a wish, kid
Then you're mine."

Refrain

I asked, "What's the difference--
A wish or a prayer?
I've searched high and low, but I stopped long ago
Now I no longer care
But sometimes on the darkest nights
I still see my lover's eyes
Now I wish to be free from that pitiful dream
That touches me sometimes "

My fairy godmother
She made no reply
Then finally she spoke as I stood in the smoke
Of her flickering eyes
"If you're prepared to walk this earth
Without the smallest dream
Ain't nothin' hell could show you
You ain't already seen
Make a wish, kid
Make a wish, kid
This ones on me."

Refrain