Alarm goes off at seven
And you start up-town
You put in your eight hours
For the powers that have always been
(Sing it child)
'Til 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
Where you buy a 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

Uptown you cater to a million jerks
Uptown your messengers and mail room 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 is even worst

That's where you go

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 row
(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, here on skid row
He took me in gave me shelter
A bed, crust of bread and a job
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)
Show me how and I will, I'll get outta here
(There's no rules for us)
(Downtown)
I'll start climbin' up hill and get outta here
('Cause it's dangerous)
(Downtown)
Someone tell me I still could get outta here
(Where there rainbow just doesn't show)
Someone tell lady luck that I'm stuck here
(When you get)

(Downtown)
Gee it sure would be swell to get outta here
(Downtown)
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
(Downtown)
I'd move heaven and hell to get outta skid
(Skid row)
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