It depends on who is looking at the tenement walls

Whether he's coming home or passing through

You can walk the streets and find so much to criticize

But that would be the easy thing to do

'Coz there's beauty in the concrete

If you see it with your heart

The sidewalks only hurt you

If you hate them from the start

THIS IS A SONG NOT NECESSARILY SWEET

I'LL PASS IT ON TO FOLKS THAT I NEVER WILL MEET

AND IF MY WORDS DON'T MAKE HISTORY

JUST CALL IT HARDCORE POETRY

You can blame the world if troubles come

And knock at your door

Let your weakness cut you down to size

If you find some fault with everything surrounding you

Maybe it's your narrow-minded eyes

'Coz there's music in the city

If your ear is to the ground

Only nonbelievers never hear a single sound

THIS IS A SONG NOT NECESSARILY SWEET

I'LL PASS IT ON TO FOLKS THAT I NEVER WILL MEET

AND IF MY WORDS DON'T MAKE HISTORY

JUST CALL IT HARDCORE POETRY