Domino

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Kevin Morgenstern

The third part of Robert Hunter's Alligator Moon suite.

As the crow flies south from Arroyo Hondo
As the crow flies south from Arroyo Hondo
Oh ... Domino ... Oh ... Domino ... Oh ... Domino ... Oh ...

Domino was the daughter to a fan-tan dancer
and an Albuquerque rancher
Melina and Johnny Low

There was green fire - static lightning
clinging to your cradle
the night you were born

If this was an omen
no one could say - but you
grew into a mighty lovely woman

On Mesa Linda
Lovely mountain
Well, I surely love your daughter Domino

Oh ... Alouette ... Oh ... Cigarette ... Oh ... Alouette ... Oh ...

Domino met Cigarette
whose real name was Alouette
Cherry St. Helene, a girl of French descent

who left St. Lou amd met Melina 'cross the borderline
If beauty's in the beholder's eye
it must have been in mine

'cause when I saw Melina with you on either hand,
something in my heart stood
and played strike up the band!

Melina ... Oh, Melina ... Melina ... Oh ...

This was not the time or place to fall into romance
but I fell into three that night
and not one stood a chance

Cigarette, dark as night, 'neath an alligator moon
Domino, white as milk,
sang in perfect tune

Melina like a sunbeam in an ivory frame
Hey - Melina
I remember your name

Melina
from Mesa Linda
'bout an hour and a half from Arroyo Hondo

Oh ... Domino ... Oh ... Domino ... Oh ... Domino ... Oh ...

There was green fire - static lightning
clinging to your cradle
the night you were born

When I first saw Domino with Cigarette 'longside
why, something in my heart stood
and said: I'll take that ride

Then I saw Melina
like a sunbeam in a frame
Hey Melina ... I remember your name

Melina
from Mesa Linda
about an hour and a half from Arroyo Hondo
Melina, ah, Melina
well, I sure love your daughter Domino

Domino, Domino
if not for Melina
I'd of stayed with you in Mesa Linda

Mesa Linda
Lovely mountain
about an hour and a half from Arroyo Hondo

As the crow flies south from Arroyo Hondo
As the crow flies south from Arroyo Hondo