He came in wearing no name Just a crease in a faded coat Put a roll of cash on the counter And asked for a stranger to float Said, “Don’t ask me what I did, man” Just “Tell him he’s got one night” I took the bills, stamped the papers And sent that boy back to light [Pre-Chorus] Out in the cold by the steps I saw the detective wait Hands in his pockets, calm as rain Like he already knew the date [Chorus] Paid in cash, paid in cash That old lie never lasts Paid in cash, paid in cash I watched it walk too fast He crossed that line Right past my door Paid in cash, paid in cash Then he was hers no more [Verse 2] I leaned on the frame and watched him Smooth talk, head low, no fear He lit up like he’d made freedom With a five-minute souvenir But the badge came up like thunder And the cuffs kissed skin to steel Strange man never turned his shoulder Like he’d closed some private deal [Pre-Chorus] Out in the cold by the steps That detective never moved Just one nod, one quick hand signal And the whole night came unglued [Chorus] Paid in cash, paid in cash That old lie never lasts Paid in cash, paid in cash I watched it walk too fast He crossed that line Right past my door Paid in cash, paid in cash Then he was hers no more [Bridge] I still hear that paper shiver Still see that easy grin Could’ve been a gift, a warning Could’ve been the trap he was in I don’t know who paid for what there Or which of us got played But that bill sat like a secret Till it vanished in the shade [Final Chorus] Paid in cash, paid in cash That old lie never lasts Paid in cash, paid in cash I watched it walk too fast He crossed that line Right past my door Paid in cash, paid in cash And I learned what money’s for
