People

You lift the latch and turn the lock,
and four more steps, you're in the street
And it's a cold one for October,
you pull your hands up in your sleeves
And on the sidewalk, you see someone with a dog without a leash
You fake a smile and nod in passing, she pretends she doesn't see

Now, you're waiting at the bus stop, important man off to your right
He screams at someone through a cell phone as he cuts you in the line
An angry bus driver is yelling, tryin to pull up to the curb
Blocked by a bumper-sticker pick-up pledged allegiance to the war

People, they're gonna break your heart, they're gonna leave you lost
You finally let em in, yea you give a little ground
And they take it and more and only ever let you down

And now you're stepping off the bus and it's a block to where you work
And things are looking somewhat brighter as the sun begins to warm
And pass the park, some kids are waving from their castle in the dirt
And you wave back and drop your phone, but someone kindly picks it up
He hands it back to you
You thank him, and you check it while you walk and see a message
That makes you laugh from someone that you love
The girl who works a floor below you holds the elevator door
And while she smiles at you, you wonder, if you've maybe got it wrong

People, they're gonna raise you up, they're gonna give you hope
You finally let em in, yea you give a little ground
And they become the only reason you care to stick around

You hear of angels and of politicians,
you hear of sinners and of missionaries
But none can hide behind a title when we are more than just one thing
And from the tiniest o' gestures, to the greatest of awards
Every movement starts a movement, makes for better or for worse

Now you're the last one on the lift,
you ride it right up past your floor
Until you reach, the very top and go out in the blinding sun
You look down on the street,
the good, the bad, and what you stand to lose
Toes out on the edge, you take a breath, and know it's time to choose

People, they're gonna break your heart, they're gonna leave you lost
You finally let em in, yea you give a little ground
And they take it and more and only ever let you down

But people, they're gonna raise you up, they're gonna give you hope
You finally let em in, yea you give a little ground
And they become the only reason you care to stick around

You lift the latch and turn the lock
and four more steps you're on the street
And it's a cold day in November, but your jacket holds some heat
And on the sidewalk, you see someone with a dog without a leash
And make your smile and nod in
passing, and you don't wonder if she sees