as you're walkin' down the street
walkin' to the corner store
but it ain't there no more
if you want a loaf of bread
you try a pharmacy instead
another chain will set you free
when you go to pay the rent
you see it's all been spent
but you're all outta luck
this town ain't friendly now
a thousand faces stare you down
each one's afraid of what you see
lookin' like the jack is back
but he ain't gonna attack
druggies dyin' in the halls
they're bangin' on the walls
your ma ain't trippin' now
it ain't a home if you ain't allowed
what time's the cease fire
you swipe a piece of plastic paper
no more smokin' on the plane
you gripe they'll take you to the jailer
they tell you as you meet your maker
grief's the mother of invention
pain's the midwife to your labor
people standing in the park
shutter up the windows tight
another tragedy has passed
another stain on you and me