[Refrain]
It wasn't the blues
It wasn't low rent
It was just a cement lament

All these late night alleys
All these late night alley cats
It starts raining harder
He adjust his hat
[Repeat Refrain]

A streetlight goes out
He makes his wish
A taxi turns the corner
The puddle makes a splisssh
[Repeat Refrain]

How many years has it been
Since you left that old hometown?
Both eyes on your feet
Both feet on the ground

[Refrain]
It's not the blues
It's not low rent
It's just a cement lament

It's not superstition
It's just playin' it smart
Don't step on the cracks, now,
Don't break your mama's heart
[Repeat Refrain]

The sun is rolling up the East River
The sky is turning kind of blue
Smokin' your last cigarette
S'pose there's nothing left to do

But try to shake this mood...
Someone's got to pay the rent...
Someone's shift just started
Singing this cement lament
This cement lament...
Cement lament

© 1986 Michelle Shocked