There in my memory Just on the periphery Loose-knit like gauze on the centerline The broke-down cobblestone drive, the Black Maria For when it comes for you Nothing to be done for you Write down your name on the dotted line Shut up your mouth, son, here's the Black Maria The Black Maria Comes for us all Can't you hear their boots in the hall? Answer your name when they call The Black Maria The Black Maria Where are the neighbors? The bootblacking laborers? The windows are dark and the shutters drawn The only lone souls who roam are all pariahs Turn out your lantern light Set your affairs to right Pull out the prayers that you mumble on For everyone is an enemy, come the Black Maria The Black Maria The Black Maria Comes for us all Can't you hear their boots in the hall? Answer your name when they call The Black Maria The Black Maria There in my memory Just on the periphery Loose-knit like gauze on the centerline The broke-down cobblestone drive, the Black Maria The Black Maria