I got a letter from a friend down in D.C.
He wants to know whatââ'¬â"¢s up with me
And why I never call or write him back
The truth is there ainââ'¬â"¢t much to say
Todayââ'¬â"¢s the same as any day
And nothing really scares me more than that
Time and time again I see
The walls are closing in on me
Before my eyes my life begins to flash
Sad memories I canââ'¬â"¢t erase
I know that I would leave this place
If only I could gather up the cash
While everyone with better sense has already left town
And those that still remain about wonder why Iââ'¬â"¢m around
But where do we go from here?
Do we leave it all behind?
Do we walk away blind?
Or will we ever find a light at the end of this street
I wish I was like my brother Jim
It doesnââ'¬â"¢t seem to bother him
He doesnââ'¬â"¢t seem to mind the old routine
Heââ'¬â"¢s always had it figured out
Exactly what this townââ'¬â"¢s about
This unforgiving narrow-minded scene
My mama told me long ago
Thereââ'¬â"¢s only two ways donââ'¬â"¢t you know
The second not so pleasant as the first
You either find the river, dive right in
Cleanse your soul, lose your sin
Or walk away alone and die of thirst

My old man ran from another land and tried to make a new start
But he worked his whole damn life away and died of a broken heart
So where do we go from here?
Do we leave it all behind?
Do we walk away blind?
And will we ever find a light at the end of this street
Lately Iââ'¬â"¢ve been having dreams
Just like western movie scenes
Hanging day, gallows overhead
But I wake up in the nick of time
Lying here to find that Iââ'¬â"¢m
Frozen to the sheets upon my bed
Theyââ'¬â"¢ll tell you opportunity
Is simply nothing more to be
In the right place at the right time
But Iââ'¬â"¢ve never been too lucky still
I make it to the top of the hill
And see thereââ'¬â"¢s twenty more ahead to climb
So for every wounded motherââ'¬â"¢s son left standing in the lurch
And for every other wasted one whoââ'¬â"¢s given up the search
Who spoke their minds stood their ground and was gracious in defeat
Who is relegated now live and die out on this street
Where do we go from here?
Do we leave it all behind?
Do we walk away blind?
Or will we ever find a light at the end of this streetââ'¬Â¦ (4X)
Itââ'¬â"¢s a long, long road away from here
And where it ends is never clear
A long, long time to cover ground
But never, never, never turn around