Pavanne

Written by Richard and Linda Thompson

Pub. By Beeswing Music, Inc. (BMI)

from the album Songs For Survivors

© 2002



Pavanne, Cold steel woman, Pavanne.

How do you love a woman?

With eyes as cold as the barrel of her gun,

Who's never missed her mark on anyone,

Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne.



Casino doors swing open, rich men raise their eyes they say “Who is this beauty”

As elegant as ice, and later there's an accident, another charges d'affaires

Is lying in a pool of blood no witness anywhere.



And they say she was a hundred miles away.

The hotel porter saw her climb the stairs.

And the maid with trembling hands knows what to say.

When the judge says, “Are you sure?” “I'm sure,” she swears.



Pavanne, Cold steel woman, Pavanne.

How do you love a woman?

With eyes as cold as the barrel of her gun,

Who's never missed her mark on anyone,

Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne.



At the presidential palace a thousand people saw

His excellency leave his car and never make the door.

The blood flow through his fingers as he clutches at the stain

And staggers like a drunken man lies twisted in the rain.



And they say she grew up well provided for.

Her mother used to keep her boys for sure.

And her father's close attentions led to talk.

She learned to stab her food with a silver fork.



Pavanne, Cold steel woman, Pavanne.



And they say she didn't do it for the money.

And they say she didn't do it for a man.

They say she did it for the pleasure.

The pleasure of the moment.



Pavanne, Cold steel woman, Pavanne.

How do you stop this woman?

When everyone is moving through a trance.

Like prisoners of some slow courtly dance.

Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne.