Up the stairs, in 305,

A baby clings to life in desperation

While his cryin' mother holds him to her breast,

And thinks of her humiliation.

Forced to leave her home because

Her folks just couldn't ruin their reputation.



And life goes on in Virginia City,

In the Gold Hill Hotel.



Down the hall, a young man

Starts to throw away his life in 302.

Fillin' up his mind with smoke

And make-believe that never can come true.

'Cause he says society's a drag,

And he wants no part of the things they do.



And life goes on in Virginia City,

In the Gold Hill Hotel.



Down the street, two children play,

It's another lovely day.

At the Courthouse, there's a picnic on the ground.

People havin' fun, there's a smile for everyone.

Isn't life so very peaceful in our town?



Down the stairs, two newlyweds

Begin their lives together in 203.

Unaware that right next door,

An old man lies upon the floor in agony.

Clingin' to his life, and locked inside his room,

But Death begins to turn the key.



And life goes on in Virginia City,

In the Gold Hill Hotel.



Yesterday, they say the body of a man was found

Behind the door marked, “402”.

They say he took his life because he found out

That his wife had been untrue.

But the desk clerk never looked up from his book

“Because,” he said, “it's nothin' new.”



And life goes on in Virginia City,

In the Gold Hill Hotel.

Yeah, life goes on in Virginia City,

In the Gold Hill Hotel.