Josephine was Sara Orenstein, a very pretty, bright and talented girl I met at The Rail in the late ’60s. We hung out together, went to concerts and movies, but despite my best efforts (reflected in the lyrics) I could never get her interested in me. We reconnected years later and have continued to be close friends.
Lyrics
Oh Josephine
Oh, Josephine
I think you mean
That you want to stay
And if it’s so
I think you’ll go
You like to act that way
(With me, you like to act that way)
I’m doing what you said
Waiting ‘til your head
Will let you go to bed
Instead of waiting up endlessly
That’s your father’s scene
Can’t you go to sleep, Josephine
Oh, Josephine
What’s in your dream
That you don’t want to see
What is its name
Are you ashamed
To say as much to me
(I think I know what it might be)
I’m doing like you asked
Waiting with a mask
It’s a simple task
But lasts only until you can see
That’s your mother’s scene
Can’t you go to sleep, Josephine
Oh, Josephine
Come on, come clean
You know you want to cry
Start with a smile
Think for a while
And give it one more try
(For me, just give it one more try)
I’m doing what I can
But don’t you understand
I’m not the kind of man
Who’ll let you try to hide what you see
That’s your sister’s scene
Can’t you go to sleep, Josephine.