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
Downtown
Where your life's a joke
Downtown
When you buy your token
You go
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 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
Your morning's tribulation
Afternoon's a curse
And five o'clock is even worse

That's when 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
Down on skid row

Poor! All my life I've always been poor
I keep asking 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
Ya live Downtown
When your life's a mess
Ya 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 gimme my shot or I'll
Rot here

Downtown
There's no rules for us
Downtown
'Cause it's dangerous
Downtown
Where the rainbow's jus a no-show

Downtown
Where the sun don't shine
Downtown
Past the bottom line
Downtown
Go ask any wino, he'll know

I'll do I dunno 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