The Only Joy In Town - Joni Mitchell

I want to paint a picture

Botticelli style

Instead of Venus on a clam

I’d paint this flower child

«You are the air my flowers breathe»

He calls, and the ladies turn around

On the first day of Spring

I’m looking at the only joy around

He’s the only joy around

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy I found

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy in town

The Spanish steps are crowded

Bunch of bodies brooding there

Dead pan side-walk vendors

Hustling vacant stares

Making all the more exceptional

This fool in a flower crown

On the first day of Spring

I’m looking at the only joy in town

He’s the only joy around

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy I found

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy in town

(The Botticelli black boy)

(The Botticelli black boy)

With the fuchias in his hair

Is breathing in women like oxygen

On the Spanish stairs

In my youth I would have followed him

All through this terra-cotta town

On the first day of Spring

We’d dance and sing

And be the only joy around

We’d be the only joy around

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy in town

(The Botticelli black boy)

He’s the only joy I’ve found

All day

At night these streets are empty

Where does everybody go

Where are the brash and tender rooms

In Roman candle glow

Where are Fellini’s circus'

La Dolce Vita clowns

On the first day of Spring

I’m looking

At the only joy around

The only joy around

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy I found

(The Botticelli black boy)

He’s the only joy in town

(The Botticelli black boy)

He is the only joy in town

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy I found

(The Botticelli black boy)

The only joy I found

(The Botticelli black boy)

He is the only joy in town

(The Botticelli black boy)