Natalie Merchant - Ophelia

Ophelia was a bride of God
A novice Carmelite,
In sister cells, the cloister bells,
tolled on her wedding night

Ophelia was the rebel girl,
A blue-stockinged suffragette
Who remedied society between her cigarettes

And Ophelia was the sweetheart to a nation overnight
Curvaceous thighs, vivacious eyes
Love was at first sight,
Love was at first sight, love

Ophelia was a demi-goddess
In pre-war Babylon
So statuesque, a silhouette
In black, satin evening gowns

Ophelia was the mistress to a Vegas gambling man
Signora Ophelia Maraschina
Mafia courtesan

Ophelia was the circus queen, the female cannonball
Projected through five flaming hoops
To wild and shocked applause
To wild and shocked applause

Hey, he-he-he-he-hey,
Ophelia was a tempest, cyclone, a god-damned hurricane
Your common sense, your best defense lay wasted and in vain

For Ophelia'd know your every woe and every pain you'd ever have
She'd sympathize and dry your eyes
Help you to forget
And help you to forget
And help you to forget

Ophelia's mind went wandering
You'd wonder where she'd gone
To secret doors down corridors
She'd wander them alone
All alone