Hot air hangs like a dead man from a white oak tree People sitting on porches thinking how things used to be Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night The neighborhood was changing, strangers moving in A new boy fell for a local girl when she made eyes at him She was young and pretty, no stranger to other men But windows were being locked at night and old lines drawn again I thought these things didn't matter anymore I thought all that blood had been shed long ago Dark night, it's a dark night He took her to the Oscars, he pledged his love to her They thought it was their secret, but somehow knew the way they would He held her so close, he asked about dreams When a bullet from a passing car made the youngest scream I thought these things didn't happen anymore I thought all that blood had been shed long ago Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night Dark night, it's a dark night