manhattan, kansas ain't no place to have a baby
when you got no man to give it his last name
and her folks back in manhattan didn't want her or her bundle
so she took her child and caught an evenin' train

she found a job in denver washing dishes in a diner
at least it buys her baby milk to drink
he once told her she was pretty but the only ring it got her
was the ring of grease that runs around the sink

yes she lay beside him gentle
'cause he told her that he loved her
and he made her dance before the music played
but at least she didn't beg him
she'd rather wash her dishes
it makes her feel as if her hands are clean

at night she stands there thinkin'
'bout the man back home in kansas
and how her folks just turned away the shame
she stares down through the soap suds
reaches down and pulls the drain plug
and watches as manhattan drains away

yes she lay beside him gentle
'cause he told her that he loved her
and he made her dance before the music played
but at least she didn't beg him
she'd rather wash her dishes
it makes her feel as if her hands are clean

yes it makes her feel as if her hands are clean