Hey Charlie, I'm pregnant
And living on 9th Street
Right above a dirty bookstore
off Euclid Avenue
And I stopped takin’ dope
And I quit drinkin’ whiskey
And my old man plays the trombone
And works out at the track

He says that he loves me
Even though it’s not his baby
He says that he'll raise him up
Like he would his own son
And he gave me a ring
That was worn by his mother
And he takes me out dancin’
Every Saturday night

And hey Charlie, I think about you
Everytime I pass a fillin’ station
On account of all the grease
You used to wear in your hair
And I still have that record
Of Little Anthony and the Imperials
But someone stole my record player
Now how do you like that?

Hey Charlie, I almost went crazy
After Mario got busted
I went back to Omaha
To live with my folks
But everyone I used to know
Was either dead or in prison
So I came back to Minneapolis
This time I think I'm gonna stay

Hey Charlie, I think I'm happy
For the first time since my accident
And I wish I had all the money
We used to spend on dope
I'd buy me a used car lot
And I wouldn't sell any of ‘em
I'd just drive a different car every day
Dependin’ on how I feel

Hey Charlie, for chrissakes
If you want to know the truth of it
I don't have a husband
He don't play the trombone
I need to borrow money
To pay this lawyer, and Charlie, hey
I'll be eligible for parole
Come Valentine’s day