Let's meet in the city where

the rivers cross, bridges there

Let's float down into the stream

of Rich and Poor Pioneers

A kid from a western town

wants to be seen, and go out

Let's borrow my parent's car

Let's stay out all night up there

and Burnside will be our street

Where the kids and the hookers meet

Diners and strip club junk

Bookstores and punk rock clubs



I'm as green as this blade 

in the grass that bends

in the wind that blows

on the long weekends

where I cross the bridge

to the water fountains

and drink in the hope

that the city brings

(Water, Building and Sin

Big Oregon city draws you in

A promise fulfilled or not

Just hang on until the summer, it's hot)



We'll make our home water-tight

Work all day, play all night

And hope we're not washed away

By deceit or tragedy

And Joan of Arc rules Northeast

Where the poor and the hipsters meet

The grid that divides us all

The River makes final call

Out at the edge of town

Where airfield runs water down

Coyote crosses old tracks

And hops on the Light-Rail Max



And if you wanna be a friend of mine

Cross the river to the east side

Find me on the eve of suicide

Tell me the city is no place to hide

Take me out into a sunny day

Through the grotto or the promenade

You came to me in the nick of time

Thankful for the things I left behind



Oh dirty river, come let me in