Alarm goes off at seven
And you start uptown
You put in your eight hours
For the powers that have always been
Till it's five p. m
Then you go
Downtown
Where the folks are broke
You go downtown
Where your life's a joke
You go downtown
When you buy your token, you go
Home to skid row
(Home to skid row)
Yes, you go
Downtown
Where the cabs don't stop
Downtown
Where the food is slop
Downtown
Where the hop-heads flop in the snow
Down on skid row
Oh, uptown you cater to a million jerks
Uptown you're messengers and mailroom clerks
Eating all your lunches at the hot dog carts
The bosses take your money and they break your hearts
Uptown you cater to a million whores
You disinfect terrazzo on their bathroom floors
The jobs are really menial you make no bread
And then at five-o'clock you head
By subway
Downtown
Where the guys are drips
Downtown
Where they rip your slips
Downtown
Where relationships are no go
Down on skid row
Down on skid row
Down on skid row
Down on skid row
Down on skid
Down on skid row
Down on skid row!
Poor, all my life I've always been poor
I keep askin' god what I'm for
And he tells me: Gee, I'm not sure
Sweep that floor, kid!
Oh! I started life as an orphan
A child of the street, down here on skid row!
He took me in, gave me shelter
A bed, crust of bread and a job
He treats me like dirt, calls me a slob
Which I am
So I live
Downtown
That's your home address, you live
Downtown
When your life's a mess, you live
Downtown
Where depression's just status quo
Down on skid row
Someone show me a way to get outta here
'Cause I constantly pray I'll get outta here
Please won't somebody say I'll get outta here
Someone gimmie my shot, or I'll rot here!
(Downtown)
(There's no rules for us) show me how and I will, I'll get outta here
(Downtown)
('Cause it's dangerous) I'll start climbin' up hill and get outta here
(Downtown)
(Where there rainbow just doesn't show)
Someone tell me I still could get outta here
Gee it sure would be swell to get outta here
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
I'd move heaven and hell to get outta skid
I'd do I don't know what to get outta skid
(Downtown)
But a hell of a lot to get outta skid
(Downtown)
People tell me there's not a way outta skid
(Downtown)
But believe me I gotta get outta skid
Row!