Lyric discussion by SophiK 

To me, this is about a man who is hopelessly in love with a hooker who, although not happy, can't stop her trade or the drugs.

"Was a book of numbers/And your remedies/One of these Surely will screen out the sorrow But where are you tomorrow"

This section seals it for me: "Down to Greene Street There you go Lookin' so outrageous And they tell you so You should know How all the pros play the game You change your name "

He must "make everything right " when she comes home.

I think the "Black cow' is just a sideline to the story.

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