William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled
around his diamond ring finger
At a Baltimore hotel
society gath'rin'.
And the cops were called
in and his weapon took from him
As they rode him in custody
down to the station
And booked William Zanzinger
for first-degree murder.
And you who philosophize disgrace
and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears. (...)
William Zantzinger mató a la pobre Hattie Carroll
con el bastón que hacía girar
con su dedo ensortijado,
en un hotel de Baltimore
donde se reunía la alta sociedad.
Llamaron a la policía
y le quitaron el arma de las manos
mientras le llevaban detenido
a la comisaría,
donde acusaron a William Zanzinger
de homicidio en primer grado.
Y vosotros que discutís la desgracia
y criticáis todo temor,
quitaros la máscara de la cara,
ahora no es momento para vuestras lágrimas. (...)
