"Annabelle Lee" lyrics - T BONE BURNETT

The sound of a Dixieland band reminds me of a garden
Where the old ladies sit in the shade and flutter their fans
Gathered together to gossip like so many old colonels
And charm the swans from the ponds with their lily-white hands

[Chorus:]
Is that the singing of Annabelle Lee that I hear?
Is it the ghost of the lady I'm dying to see?
Or is it the ether that makes these echoes in my ear?
Well, the lady is still a lady to me

Growing up reckless some place on the edge of the city
Taking the danger as a matter of course, not concern
What's the difference if there ain't no lights in the alley
When you're so down and alone you got no place to turn?

[Chorus:]
Is that the singing of Annabelle Lee that I hear?
Is it the ghost of the lady I'm dying to see?
Or is it the ether that makes these footsteps in my ear?
Well, an alley is just an alley to me

[Instrumental break]

[Chorus:]
Is that the singing of Annabelle Lee that I hear?
Is it the ghost of the lady I'm dying to see?
Or is it the ether that makes these echoes in my ear?
Well, the lady is still a lady...