The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll (Live at Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA - February 9, 1974 (Afternoon))

[Verse 1]

William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll

With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger

At a Baltimore hotel society gathering

And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him

As they hauled him in custody down to the station

Booked William Zanzinger for first-degree murder

[Chorus]

And you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

[Verse 2]

William Zanzinger, who, at 24 years

Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres

With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him

High office rеlations in the politics of Maryland

Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shouldеrs

And swear words and sneering, and his tongue, it was snarling

In a matter of minutes, on bail, was out walking

[Chorus]

And you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain’t the time for your tears

[Verse 3]

Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen

She was 51 years old and gave birth to ten children

Who carried the dishes and hauled out the garbage

And never sat once at the head of the table

Who just cleaned up all the food from the table

And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level

Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane

That sailed through the air and came down through the room

Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle

And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger

[Chorus]

And you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

[Harmonica Solo]

[Verse 4]

In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel

To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level

And that the strings in the books ain’t pulled and persuaded

And that even the nobles get properly handled

Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em

And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom

Stared at the person who killed for no reason

Who just happened to be feeling that way without warning

And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished

And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance

William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence

[Chorus]

And you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Bury the rag most deep in your face

Now is the time for your tears