Cast out with the first of winter
Coldest night since they last raised busfare
Seems fitting
In this city it only ever gets this cold
After shelters close and the commons gates are locked
There but for the grace of good odds go you, go I, go we all, but we don't
A greater chill than the lake winds at morning:
Knowing you've been heard but the city's still ignoring
They built this
The city would not entertain appeals to logic
Simply locked out, they assembled, built their own walls
Dignity here lives by alms not asked for
But how long could it possibly last?
Now that the Pope's here gotta get the streets clear
What better time for good old Christian charity?
Tempered by the winter weather, cold hearts don't care what month it is
It's all the same, they've themselves to blame
And we'll never be measured, no matter the weather,
On how we lived well while others froze
A systematic disease, motivated by greed,
Left alone when we all know there's room
Break down City Hall, there's rooms for us all,
There's no problem till they hear it upstairs
But what does that mean for the greatest in need?
Must they fight at every corner?
Even when they succeed in making all that they need,
"dead" property discovers it's owner
I can feel my bones getting cold already
Steaming breath betrays our presence
Measured in the way we care for our weakest,
God forbid we should ever lose our hold
Could we ever lose our hold?
We've walked these streets till morning
Winds cut through without warning
We're strong as our greatest shame
Speak it's name, leads it's way, this way home