In Harlem

Beyond the wild, forgotten streets
The frozen fires and sleeping kings
And the fields of rotting dreams I hear a lonesome melody
As she's sweeping up on Aisle 2 in Harlem

In the restaurant missing a front porch step
The french fries taste like cigarettes
The whole place smells like death but yet it's home to me
And the jazz band's playing softly on the roof in Harlem

And they were singin', ooooooh
Though the devil rides beside every step
My lord above is watching yet in Harlem
Gonna keep my heart on a silver string
My broken bell, gonna let it ring in Harlem

Well my back is bent as a girder rail
And my best friend's stuck in county jail
And I can't afford to pay the bail so I keep working
But there's always something more that you can do in Harlem

As I lie awake in the sleeping car
With a dime to spare and my deck of cards
I stare up toward the stars and watch 'em shuffle into the sea
I been prayin' that the big man comes to save me soon from Harlem

And I was singin', ooooooooh
Though the devil rides beside each step
My lord above is watching yet in Harlem
Gonna keep my heart on a silver string
My broken bell, gonna let it ring in Harlem
Oh, in Harlem
Yes, in Harlem

I got a good ol' feeling this world don't mean a thing