With a pawnshop eyes and a second hand frown
she sat silent at the table
Her boots were brown, should she leave town
To play the role of lover ex-patriot
A nod to the waiter,always her flirty behavior,
You know she always gets one on the house
She pulls out a letter from a bag
Under her sweater and before she
reads she straightens her blouse

There's a passion in being alone A grace in a loveless time
There's no new cross, there's no new sign
only the sun and the changing tide

And out of respect, well really must confess
I never lost your number I never
lost your address
And if we remain friends at best
Sometime later no, no not yet
we'll smile and remember it like this

She put back the letter,one tear
falls like a feather and disappears
on this bar room floor
The gratuity included, you know
the letter concluded

P.S. All my love


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Girl from a Pawnshop Lyrics as written by Christopher Mark Robinson Chris Robinson

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Girl from a Pawnshop song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I love how the guitar reflects such anguish during the "out of respect" lyrics! Truly powerful music there.

    I'm inclined to agree with most RealCoolHand's interpretation, and the song title indicates that she has come "from a pawnshop," so I assumed she has sold an engagement ring. Except the shift between third- and first-person would support the belief that he wrote the letter to her.

    Although, the title alone could almost validate that one night stand interpretation with her being treated as a loaner.

    PinsNeedleson March 06, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The version of this song on the Crowology album is INCREDIBLE. The violin is heartbreaking. I agree with FreezeSukka, you can picture every detail if you listen intently. Such a beautiful song. I have a tattoo of "There's a passion in being alone, A grace in a loveless time, There's no new cross, there's no new sign, only the sun and the changing tide."

    remedyjayneon July 12, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "If we remain friends at best...sometime later, no no not yet...We'll smile and remember it like this.."

    That's just one of the great lines from this song, but the poster above is right, the Croweology version of this song surpasses any expectation. I think that the beauty of this song (and many of the Crowes' songs) is that their lyrics, although metaphoric at times, are also pretty straight forward and applicable to any aspect of one's life. It's the sound of the instruments, the emotion of Chris Robinson's voice that tells the story- that's where their songs get you. One of their best, even if never released...it's a song that you'll remember in a certain situation and then play over and over. "There's a passion in being alone, a grace in a loveless time."

    jgeeon February 22, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's LOVER EXPATRIATE, not expatriot. there is no such word as expatriot.

    Who puts in the lyrics? Idiot.

    Definition of EXPATRIATE: transitive verb 1 : banish, exile 2 : to withdraw (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one's native country intransitive verb : to leave one's native country to live elsewhere; also : to renounce allegiance to one's native country

    DJAKNYCon August 27, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song to death. The Black Crowes are my absolute favorite. Its full of pain and it touches me everytime I hear it.

    teez8on November 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree 100%. This is a fantastic song. Chris Robinson never ceases to amaze me.

    JumpyJackon January 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah its a great song.

    drew29on April 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love the "penis on my nose" chorus at the end.

    Sempreon February 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Penis on my nose.... That's funny. This is a beautiful, multi-layered song about that icky feeling of blowing off a one night stand. Only Chris Robinson can make that sound pretty.

    remedy74on July 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    SEMPRE. ARE YA' SMOKIN CRACK? LOL. THIS SONG IS SO TOUCHING AND SAD. THE CROWES ARE MY ROCK. THERE IS A SONG.. REALLY THERE IS AN ALBUM FOR EVERY MOOD YOU'RE IN. GENIUS.

    HaleyCroweson October 04, 2007   Link

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