Story Behind The Song

Was watching CNN and taking in sad story after story about things happening in everyday America.

Song Description

24 hours of life on the streets of New York

Lyrics

Watching America ? Johnny Douglas/ Howard Kroeger

There?s a man on a corner with a cardboard sign
Saying ?I will work for pennies ?cause I haven?t got a dime?:
People turn away, so they don?t have to see
This broken man a product of a thousand broken dreams

And he?s watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by

There?s a girl on the front step of a run down place
And you can read the pain in every line upon her face
Gunshot in the distance siren down the street
Someone won?t be coming home one less mouth to feed.

And she?s watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by
Yes she?s watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by

There?s a baby in a blanket in a dumpster out back
Her daddy?s down in Rykers her mama?s up on crack
Cop out on the beat thinks he hears a sound
He picks her up calls it in he takes her on downtwon

Where they?re watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by

Driving in the squad car dodging yellow cabs
He can?t help but wonder what chance does she have
Has he done her a favour or just make matters worse
Will she end up spare change in New York?s empty purse

The night is winding down it?s nearly 6am
The sun it struggles over forty second street again
The shift is done he?s at home in his easy chair
He switches on the TV he just sits and stares
There?s a man on the corner with a cardboard sign
Saying ?I will work for pennies ?cause I haven?t got a dime
The camera pans down Broadway people come and go
And if there is any grand design?God only knows

And He?s watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by
Yes He?s Watching America
Watching America
Watching America go by
Watching America
Watching America go by