Cactus Rose

I grew up wild and I grew up fast Got a long dark future and a shady past 'Cos I never knew such a thing as youth I was weaned on gin and dry vermouth Yeah I used to lie in a smoky room While the world slipped past like a fading moon And I'd watch the men both night and day Sneakin' down the back stairway I'm the child that everyone knows The only child of Cactus Rose Well I recall one Texas night When there broke out one terrible fight When the smoke had cleared and the night was pale They were haulin' Cactus off to jail They called it aggravated assault But I was there and it wasn't her fault Some man with a badge made a sorry try Decided he'd take what he couldn't buy And I'm the only one who knows They put the frame on Cactus Rose Well I hear folks talking now and then They say she lived a life of sin But she just did what she had to do There's a side to Rose they never knew Each night when she tucked me into bed I remember those tearful words she said "Child I love you more than anyone knows You're the heart of this old Cactus Rose" Yes I'm the child that everyone knows The only child of Cactus Rose