Out in the Street

Performed by THE SHANGRI-LAS
REleased as a single in 1965
And by BLONDIE in 1976

Return to: Tales from a Draughty Old Fen

I can't find attributions for this song, but will try to. It demonstrates the difficulty of trying to get "off the streets" once you've been on them.

He don't, hang around, with the gang no more.
He don't do the wild things that he did before.

He used to act bad, Used to, but he quit it.
It make me so sad.
Cause I know that he did it for me.
(Yes he did now)
And I can see...(It's still in the streets)
His heart, out in the street.

(He don't, comb his hair, like he did before
He don't wear those dirty old black boots no more.)

But he's not the same, Somethin' about his kissin'
That tells me he's changed.
I know that something's missing inside.
(mumble mumble)
Somethin's died...(It's still in the streets)
His heart, out in the street.

He grew up on the sidewalk.
Streetlight shinin' above.
He grew up with no-one to love.
He grew up on the sidewalk.
He grew up running free.
He grew up and then he met me..

He don't, hang around, with the gang no more.
Gee, he doesn't smile like he did before.

I wish I didn't care.
I wish I'd never met him.
They're waitin' downstairs.
I know I've got to set him free
He's gotta' be... (Out in the street)
His heart is out in the street.

He don't hang around with the gang no more.
(Out in the street)
He don't hang around with the gang no more.
(Out in the street)
He don't hang around with the gang no more.
(Out in the street)

Return to: Tales from a Draughty Old Fen

Once in a Lifetime

This song was written by my mother in New York in the early '60s.

Once in a lifetime we make a mistake
One that causes real heartbreak
It's then that we feel, all the sorrow and pain,
And wish that we could turn the clock back again.

Once in a lifetime, we do a great wrong
To someone who loves us sincerely.
We think we are clever, but only headstrong
And too late, we see things quite clearly.

So once in a lifetime, heed the advice
From the one, in whose hearts we are dear.
For that big mistake we pay a terrible price
In emptiness, loneliness and fear.