Mercy me, mercy me
I lost my dog down Tennessee
Mercy me, cursed me
I lost my dog down Tennessee

Now everyone's looking for something to do
We went to take a walk on the avenue
We heard the tragedienne
We heard her sing all through the night
I remember her then, bathed in the light
Of that atomic number ten

Never moved to talk and you could not smile
But that face as you walked said, "I'll be back in a while"
I called the police, I called the National Guard
I prayed to the Prince of Peace and I prayed to Saint Bernard

Mercy me, mercy me
I lost my dog down Tennessee
Mercy me, cursed me
I lost my dog down Tennessee

Country music filled the air
Reddish orange from the star
Upon her hair and her guitars
But I don't see you anywheres

Mercy me, mercy me
I lost my dog down Tennessee
Mercy me, cursed me
I lost my dog down Tennessee