I went down to 42nd street
Thought i'd get a bite to eat
I saw a girl that i'd like to meet

You know, she sure looked good

Told me that her heart was broken

Asked me what it was i's smoking
All she had was an old bus token
Yes, i would


She cried a tear
And said she was alone

And would i be so good
To accompany her home
Yeah, i could, yeah


(chorus)
But everybody knows matilda

Everybody knows matilda
Ain't no life for a young girl
All alone in a great big world

Matilda

Took me to shack on the edge of town

All the shades were pulled and drawn
Nobody, not a soul around
She smiled at me


Mixed drinks and i fixed my head
Drank it down, made me feel like lead

When i asked her, where was the bed
She said, i'd see


She pulled me close
Now what was i to do
My head was spinning

As she said take off your shoes
And i agree, yeah


(chorus)

Heard a heavy knock upon the door

Scared me so bad, i fell on the floor
Heard a voice that sounded sore
Said, let me in


Matilda said her boyfriend had a gun
Sorry, baby, but you have to run

But i was gone before she was done
I left my skin


Flew out the window
As the door came tumbling down
Didn't even say goodbye

I was homeward bound
Just can't win, no


Now everybody knows matilda
Everybody knows matilda
Ain't no life for a young girl

All alone in a great big world

Everybody knows matilda

Everybody knows matilda
Everybody knows matilda
Everybody knows matilda...