Lyrics

Took the southbound subway down to Brooklyn
But stepped off long before it could arrive
The city streets above were calling out my name and
That's where I knew I'd feel more alive
I walked about 50 blocks on Broadway
Wasn't even going anywhere
Sat down to have a sandwich on the sidewalk
It was dirty but I didn't really care
People rolled on by me like a river
Every color underneath the sun
Some of them looked just as lost as I did
Most just looked like they were on the run
Gave an extra buck to the man who made my sandwich
Looked like he had some ends to meet
Saw a lonely white-haired girl in a black dress
she was leaning on a lamppost, sitting in the street
There was a man selling watches on the corner
Everybody stopped to check it out
Like time was on sale and going quickly
It's funny what we trust and what we doubt
Turned the corner when i got to 57th
Passed a cripple trying to make it through the crowd
People moved aside just like the red sea
Never heard compassion speak so loud
Got a call from a good friend in Virginia
Kept me company as i walked along
I told her that my legs were really aching
She said my methodology was wrong
Told me i should have grabbed a taxi
Or stayed on the subway down below
But the feel of the concrete beneath my tired feet
Was a sweet pain i needed to know
Took a break on the other side of Amsterdam
Sat down on a bench by central park
A dozen cups of coffee later
Realized it was getting dark
But Broadway was lit up like a Christmas tree
As I slowly made my way down to the square
Kept on going right past 42nd
Through the village with people everywhere
Some were having dinner with candles on the tables
The tables were short and small and round
Some were having drinks, some were having nothing
But the air was alive with sound - and fury.
A couple more blocks and i could feel it,
A strange sort of silence in the air
I could smell the smoke before I saw it
Then all I could do was stare
There were flowers and flags upon the barricade
Whispers and tears behind the fence
Though we were surrounded by policemen,
I could sense that everyone was tense
By now, there were ashes on my shoulder, and a fine kind of grit between my teeth
Horrible reminders of the horror
Echoes of the loss that lay beneath
Spotlights were shining on the rubble
Each one casting shadows on the ground
5000 gravestones reaching up to heaven
A final glance and it was time to turn around.
Only now, my steps felt much more heavy
Weighed down by the sorrow in my heart
Not just for this place but all those like it
Anywhere that life is blown apart
So I limped on down the street that was silent, dark and sad
I knew It would be a longer walk uptown
But them from somewhere round the corner
the silence was shattered and I could not believe the sound
Out from the shadows slowly marching
A chorus, several dozen strong
Children and their mothers, fathers and their brothers
Holding candles as they sang their song
I don't remember all the words
Don't think that mattered much to me
I watched them through the tears falling from my eyes
And heard a line about how their hearts were free.
Hope is alive in Manhattan
I was there; I know that it is true
Her best friends, faith and love, are singing
I pray that you can hear it too.
(c)2001 david m. bailey