East side

1982

Reaching up to grab just a little more
Whistling something but you can't find the tune
You hear a key in a lock then a slamming door
And a dog howling at the moon
But it's just another downtown ride
down to the east side.

Shaking inside while shaking the hands
The ticket to get in, also gets you out
Make the formal break, take a formal stand
Muffling the whoop and the shout
Rejoice in the relief when you're outside
And heading to the east side

The atmosphere gags you like smoke
Your lungs are gasping for air
Everyone is laughing at an old, old joke
It's not funny, but no-one cares
It's too obvious to try and hide
And escape to the east side

Some young fellow takes another blast
Let the memories slip further back
Doesn't matter if it's the first, or last
Just as it all stays on track.
The emotion sweeps over him like a tide
Carrying him to the east side.

When you start looking back, don't wonder why
Nothing is as bright as the lights in the night.
For every laugh, there's an agonising cry.
That's the way of it, and that's all right.
The steeple's high, the road's wide
Down on the east side