Downtown America
I’m starin’ straight up from the sidewalk
at the stars high above me tonight
those stars were made for you and for me
but they’re no longer shinin’ so bright.
At the crossroads down by the traffic light
there’s a man dressed in tatters and rags.
Says "God bless you” and "I’ll work for food".
I’ve been to Viet Nam and back with the draft.
Chorus:
AND THEY SAY THAT’S LIFE IN DOWNTOWN AMERICA
AND YOU LIVE AS BEST AS YOU CAN.
IT’S TIME TO BELIEVE IN DOWNTOWN AMERICA
EVERY WOMAN, EVERY CHILD, EVERY MAN.
At the mission shelter in midtown
there’s an old timer wastin’ away
says "I’ve been rolled 18 times in the past 6 weeks -
and they’ll get to me one of these days."
And sister suzanne works the night shift there -
and she’s tryin’ to figure out how
all the applause, the electronic town halls
is gonna heave the industrial plow.
[Chorus]
I’ve listened to words spoke in high places -
they say the new world will come in good time.
They speak of renewed hope and glory -
and i swallow it down like red wine.
Don’t it feel that the union is driftin’?
The excuses are all growin’ old.
i’ll take any man here out to the parkin’ lot now
tries tellin’ me that isn’t so.
[Chorus]
