Johnny saw her riding on a street car named Desire,
his fate was sealed
She could see him coming like a hundred other liars,
it was no big deal
Rosa had a lover on the shady side of town,
he was king of the streets
She was his possession like a jewel on his crown,
Johnny better run, better run

Better hide your heart, better hold on tight
Say your prayers, 'cause there's trouble tonight
When pride and love battle with desire
Better hide your heart, 'cause you're playing with fire

The ride was over but the story doesn't end,
he took her heart
She looked him in the eye and said they couldn't meet again
You could see the trouble start
The word went out that Rosa's messin' with someone,
it was on the street
Tito looked for Johnny with a vengeance and a gun
Johnny better run, better run

Better hide your heart, better hold on tight
Say your prayers, 'cause there's trouble tonight
When pride and love battle with desire
Better hide your heart, 'cause you're playing with fire

Johnny's holdin' Rosa on a rooftop in the night,
as time stood still
They couldn't hear him coming 'til he had them both in sight
You could feel a chill
A shot ran out like thunder and the blood was on her hands,
with nothing won
When someone has to die,
you know they finally understand

Better hide your heart, better hold on tight
Say your prayers, 'cause there's trouble tonight
When pride and love battle with desire
Better hide your heart, 'cause you're playing with fire