by Tom Flannery
copyright 2007 (BMI)

There's really no such thing as the "good old days". I've searched far and wide
for them and believe me.....they ain't there. But even in my lifetime I remember
unlocked doors and knowing your neighbor's name and being able to be out after dark
without fear that some sex crazed republican operative might kidnap you.

This used to be a nice neighborhood
now it's drugs and bars
cinder blocked cars
cops ride by
with windows high
this used to be a nice neighborhood
now it's thugs and whores
and evened scores
graffitied walls
and strip malls
this used to be a nice neighborhood

I walked these streets when I was a kid
with a baseball tan
and the fuller brush man
with my new oiled glove
a labor of love
I can't believe the things I did
chasing fire flies
and summer skies
that would fade to black
promise to come back
oh when I was a kid

change is never good sir
change is never good
we'd stay the same if we could sir
stay the same if we could

We used to leave our doors unlocked
now it's double bolts
and .45 Colt's
outlined chalk
no one will talk
We used to all come out to play
now it's faces hard
brown front yard
welfare checks
who's gonna be next
We used to all come out to play

change is never good sir
change is never good
we'd stay the same if we could sir
stay the same if we could

How do you learn to love 'round here
where the boys are dead
and the girls are led
by a TV screen
and a hip hop dream
How do you learn to love 'round here
when dreams are lost
like car exhaust
and clogs the air
with despair
How do you learn to love 'round here

You watched this from afar sir
you watched this from afar
with your big fat cigar sir
your big fat cigar

This used to be a nice neighborhood
then the jobs went south
and word of mouth
reached the upper floors
and the liquor stores
Daddy woke up with nothing to do
so he lashed out
with no doubt
that the ones so close
were to blame the most
and now he's pinned it all on you

You watched this from afar sir
you watched this from afar
with your big fat cigar sir
your big fat cigar

This used to be a nice neighborhood
now it's drugs and bars
cinder blocked cars
cops ride by
with windows high
this used to be a nice neighborhood
now it's thugs and whores
and evened scores
graffitied walls
and strip malls
this used to be a nice neighborhood
 

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