SOMEBODY'S CITY (Robert J. Purvis)

People on the underground

Sit silent as their tubes arrive on time

With faces like immortal stone

Suppressing what they really feel inside


But who am I to criticize?

I'll close my eyes and I'll just keep on walking

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life


Smokestacks pointing to the sky

And oil forever floating on the river

Impairing all the beauty

God created in this life for you and me


But what the hell do I care?

I'll pretend it isn't there

And I'll keep on walking

Somebody's city, somebody's life


Even outside, you find the rush hour's on

You're getting pushed everywhere

You're jammed in doorways

Man, it's so hard to move


Smoke fills the air

My lungs are turning to coal

It's getting so hard to breathe

I'm sorry, lady, if I'm leaning on you


[trumpet solo]


I feel the time will surely come

When everyone will put their hands together

And pray the rain might wash away

The filth that we've donated to this land


But in-between what can be done?

You dig your graves

While I just stand there looking

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life


[guitar solo]


©1974 Ganga Publishing B.V.

SOMEBODY'S CITY (Robert J. Purvis)
[Live on WCMF-FM in Rochester, November 5, 1975]

People on the underground

Sit silent as their tubes arrive on time

With faces like immortal stone

Suppressing what they really feel inside


But who am I to criticize?

I'll close my eyes and I'll just keep on walking

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life


Smokestacks pointing to the sky

And oil forever floating on the river

Impairing all the beauty

God created in this life for you and me


But what the hell do I care?

I'll pretend it isn't there

And I'll keep on walking

Somebody's city, somebody's life


Even outside, you find the rush hour's on

You're getting pushed everywhere

You're jammed in doorways

Man, it's so hard to move


Smoke fills the air

My lungs are turning to coal

It's getting so hard to breathe

I'm sorry, lady, if I'm leaning on you


Somebody's city, somebody's life


I feel the time will surely come

When everyone will put their hands together

And pray the rain might wash away

The filth that we've donated to this land


But in-between, what can be done?

You dig your graves

While I just stand there looking

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life

Somebody's city, somebody's life


©1974 Ganga Publishing B.V.

lyrics from The Place I Love LP lyric sheet insert
modified by Tom Brennan