[CRYSTAL]
Alarm goes off at seven
And you start uptown
You put in your eight hours
For the powers that have always been

[RONETTE]
Woo, sing it, child!

[CRYSTAL]
Till it's five P.M

[WINO]
Then you go

[CRYSTAL, RONNETE, CHIFFON]
Downtown
Where the folks are broke
You go Downtown
Where your life's a joke
You go Downtown
When you buy your token
You go
Home to Skid Row
(Home to Skid Row)
[WINO #1]
Yes, you go

[COMPANY]
Downtown

[CRYSTAL]
Where the cabs don't stop

[COMPANY]
Downtown

[MUSHNIK]
Where the food is slop

[COMPANY]
Downtown
Where the hop-heads flop
In the snow
Down on Skid Row

[GIRLS]
Uptown you cater to a million jerks
Uptown you're messengers and
Mailroom clerks
Eating all your lunches at the
Hot dog carts
The bosses take your money
And they break your hearts
And Uptown you cater to a million whores
You disinfect terrazzo on their
Bathroom floors
Your morning's tribulation
Afternoon's a curse
And five o'clock is even worse

[WINO]
That's when you go

[AUDREY & (COMPANY)]
Downtown
Where the guys are drips
(Downtown)
Where they rip your slips
(Downtown)
Where relationships are no-go

[COMPANY]
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
[SEYMOUR]
Poor! All my life I've always been poor
I keep asking God what I'm for
And he tells me "Gee, I'm not sure
Sweep that floor, kid."
Oh, I started life as an orphan
A child of the street
Here on Skid Row
He took me in, gave me shelter, a bed
Crust of bread and a job
Treats me like dirt, calls me a slob
Which I am
So I live

[COMPANY]
Downtown

[SEYMOUR & (COMPANY)]
That's your home address
Ya live
(Downtown)
When your life's a mess
Ya live
(Downtown)
Where depressions' just
Status Quo

[COMPANY]
Down on skid row

[SEYMOUR]
Someone show me a way to get outta here
'Cause I constantly pray I'll get outta here
Please, won't somebody say I'll get outta here
Someone gimme my shot or I'll rot here

[SEYMOUR & (COMPANY)]
(Downtown, there's no rules for us)
Show me how and I will. I'll get outta here
(Downtown, 'cause it's dangerous)
I’ll start climbing uphill and get outta here
(Downtown, where the rainbow's just a no-show)
Someone tell me I still could get outta here
Someone tell Lady Luck that I’m stuck here
(When you live)

[SEYMOUR, AUDREY & (COMPANY)]
(Downtown, where the sun don't shine)
Gee, it sure would be swell to get outta here
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
(Downtown, past the bottom line)
I'd move heaven and hell to get outta Skid
(Downtown, go ask any wino, he'll know)
I'll do I dunno what to get outta Skid
(Downtown)
But a hell of a lot to get outta Skid
(Downtown)
People tell me there's not a way outta Skid
(Downtown)
But believe me, I gotta get outta

[ALL]
Skid Row!