She was naked in the smoky room

The man were pressed up tight

The painter, he was near her

As she danced in the blue light

A missionary wondered

How it was she'd come to this

Ah but the painter didn't judge her

All he saw was what she is



Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos

Caught in a freak show

Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos



The lady and the painter

Knew the violence in the place

He knew of her slavery

She knew too well the human race

The painter froze her movements

To the catcalls and the yells

He only saw her beauty

Her mind was somewhere else



Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos

Caught in a freak show

Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos



The Barroom is still open

Nice people, they don't go

They banned the painter's pictures

Said it was a dirty show

The story made the papers

People couldn't read enough

They said "we don't want our children

To be looking at that stuff."



Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos

Caught in a freak show

Barroom ladies and Michaelangelos