Gonna tell ya a tale 'bout livin' in a helluva neighborhood next ta town Folks round here drink alotta cheap wine and stay crazy mosta the time People hangin' out on da corner wastin' my time an' bummin' my quarters We ain't gotta lot o' money it's true buyin' cigarettes a nickle for two Chorus Me an' my baby we both agree Livin' on short street ain't our cup o' tea Honey make some coffee pack up da boxes Pick da pennies up offa da floor We ain't livin' on short street anymo' Ya gotta keep things down after midnight no tappin' yo foot on da floor No mo' singin' dem country songs o' da broomstick'll bounce below Rats moved in and we losin' out neighbors don't care if we scream an' shout Talkin' 'bout da rent is due da hell widda short street blues Chorus Da bathroom's out on da backporch front door's just a rickety gate Yard's full o' dem groundhog holes an' da neighborhood jus' ain't safe Ev'rybody's gotta do what they gotta do ev'rybody gonna say what they gonna say I say honey the rent is due the hell widda short street blues Chorus Chorus