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Words and music by Shirley Ladd
| These lyrics came to me in the middle of the night after a disturbing visit to “Inner City, USA” complete with all of its social ills: poverty, addiction and violence. |
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Is it pride or is it caring that makes him turn away? Is it guilt or is it hatred that feeds him day by day? Bobby closed the door behind him and left his baby girl asleep In a box they called a bed and he walked into the street. But if we join our hands together and raise our voices to the sky We can win if we keep fighting. We will lose if we don’t try. Well he walked under the streetlights, his cap pulled down to his eyes He didn’t know what happened that night. Was he foolish or was he wise? He walked into the darkness toward the corner of the block A man stepped out from nowhere and said “Would you like to buy some rock?” Oh Bobby, can you hear the baby? She’s crying in her crib alone. Bobby, can’t you just forget it? Turn around and come on home. Bobby knew he couldn’t win this. He smiled then he said “Give me all that rock you’ve got. One wrong move and you’ll be dead. You see my life ain’t got much meaning. I’ve got no money, I’ve got no food. Verna walks the streets at midnight and tries to hook some cool rich dude.” Bobby drew that gun out slowly as it glistened in the light All at once a shot was fired from the darkness of the night. Bobby grabbed his chest and cried out in his disbelief and his pain The dealer grabbed his wallet and yelled out “Man you are insane!” Verna walked the streets not thinking of her baby or her man While Bobby lay in a pool of his own blood and watched the two men as they ran. Bobby can you hear me, honey? It’s your Verna at your side. Bobby closed his eyes and left her, and at home their baby cried. |