Cleaning Windows

[Verse 1]

Oh, the smell of the bakery from across the street

Got in my nose

As we carried our ladders down the street

With the wrought-iron gate rows

I went home and listened to Jimmie Rodgers

In my lunch-break

Bought five Woodbines at the shop on the corner

And went straight back to work

[Verse 2]

Oh, Sam was up on top

And I was on the bottom with the V

We went for lemonade and Paris buns

At the shop and broke for tea (That's right)

I collected from the lady

And I cleaned the fanlight inside-out

I was blowing saxophone on the weekend

In that down joint

[Chorus]

What's my line?

I'm happy cleaning windows

Take my time

I'll see you when my love grows

Baby, don't let it slide

I'm a working man in my prime

Cleaning windows

(Number thirty-six)

[Verse 3]

I heard Leadbelly and Blind Lemon

On the street where I was born (Yeah)

Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee

And Muddy Waters singin' "I'm A Rolling Stone"

I went home

And read my Christmas Humphreys' book on Zen

Curiosity killed the cat

Kerouac's "Dharma Bums" and "On the Road"

[Chorus]

What's my line?

I'm happy cleaning windows (Hey)

Take my time

I'll see you when my love grows

Baby, don't let it slide

I'm a working man in my prime

Cleaning windows

Say again

What's my line?

I'm happy cleaning windows

Well, I take my time

I'll see you when my love grows

Don't let it slide

I'm a working man in my prime

Cleaning windows

[Outro]

Alright, cleanin'

What'd you say number

Number a-hundred and twenty-six

Alright, we'll be ready tomorrow