I would love to be the lucky one on Chill Avenue Who would keep your heart warm when ice has turned it blue But begging sleeping losers, as they turn in for the night I'm looking back for home and I can see the light
I should be jumping, shouting that I made it all this way From Camden Town Station to 44th and 8th Not many make it this far, and many say we're great But just like them we walk on, we can't escape our fate
Can't you hear the sighing Eastside Jimmy and Southside Sue Both say they needed something new
So I'm standing at the gates of the west I burn money at the lights of the sign The city casts a shadow Of the perfect crime
I'm standing at the gates of the east I take my pulse and the pulse of my friend The city casts a shadow Will I see you again?
The immigrants and remnants of all the glory years Are clustered 'round the bar again for another round of beers Little Richard's in the kitchen, playing spoons and plates He's telling the waitress he's great
I say I know somewhere back 'n' forth in time Out on the dustbowls, deep in the roulette mine Or in a ghetto cellar, only yesterday There's a move into the future: the USA!
So I'm standing at the gates of the west I burn money at the light of the sign The city casts a shadow Of the perfect crime
Standing at the gates of the east I take my pulse and the pulse of my friend The city casts a shadow Will I see you again?
I'm standing at the gates of the west In the shadow again In the shadow again