Old Compton street blues

Oh your pictures they don't really do you justice little girl

For you're careful not to let the camera touch your private world

And there's just a hint of sadness in your smile through the dark

As you slip your dress off slowly for the sailor or the clerk

And it could have been so different, and at times you feel bad

For you really did have something that the others never had

And the circle turns and turns and turns so mad, little girl

Ah you must have been just fifteen when you made your mind up first

That you'd make it in the movies and you couldn't lose the thirst

And it took you to the attic where the Agent King holds Court

And his courtesans are fully paid up losers of a sort

He looks at you and tells you that you just might get the part

But you don't get things for nothing and he doesn't want your heart

And the circle turns and turns and turns so mad, little girl

Mmm, you made it to the silver screen and yet you're not a star

And advertising corsets didn't get you too far

But money has its favourites and yours went back to them

So you modelled in a studio in Greek Street for the rent

There you met Antonio, your lover from afar

Who put you on the streets to make the money for his car

And the circle turns and turns and turns so fast, little girl

Ah, your pictures they don't really do you justice any more

For they're crumpled now and faded and were taken long ago

And that faintly coy expression has now left without a trace

Ah there's little of it buried in the ruins of your face

It could have been so different, and at times you feel bad

For you really did have something that the others never had

And the circle turns and turns and turns so mad, little girl

For the circle turns and turns and turns so sad, little girl.

Oh the circle turns and turns and it's too bad, little girl.