Michael McDonald Follow

Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city

His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he hardly makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floor for many
You'd best believe she hardly makes a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city

His sister's black but she is sure enough pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city

Her brother's smart, he got more sense than many
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
But where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city

His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his time walking the streets of New York City
He's almost dead from breathing air pollution
He tried to vote but for him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city

I hope you hear this voice and song of my sorrow
And it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don't change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, just enough for the city, living for the city

Living for the city
Living just enough for the city
I'm living just enough for the city
I'm living just enough for the city
I'm living just enough for the city
I'm living just enough

Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection