Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................
Rico Avila
-Jake Coleman
Voodoo Rain in Chicago
By Gregory Pickett
Magic Each glistening drop tinkers and shimmers
Falls from each which way mystically resembling that which glitters
Yes, the Voodoo comes down, even in Chicago
Black gathers energy fast and bewitches even the strongest
Star burning in crimson fury cascade down on us the longest
Even in Chicago, Yes, the Voodoo comes Down
WILL I GO TO BED WITH YOU BY CIN SWEET FIELDS
Will I?
I dunno, I might like you enough
in Chicago
enough to go to bed with you
yes, maybe Chicago in the fall
but come to think of it, sorry, no
not even in Chicago, not even in the fall
But perhaps, maybe in Vienna
yes, i'm certain of it now
Definitely in Vienna
yes, in Vienna in the spring,
I would go to bed with you
But Then
it isn't spring, we aren't in Vienna
so No submitted by Rosali Delgado
Sidewalks of Chicago
Posted by Erin Combs
Performed by Merle Haggard
The Levi's that I'm wearing have been good to me
They just won't admit they're growing old
And though my shirt's made contact with a gutter now and then
At least it keeps my body from the cold
Thank God the folks back home in Harlan County
Can't see what success has done for me
Would you believe that kids in Harlan High School
Voted me most likely to succeeded
Now I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
Yes I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
Wishing I'd have lived some other time
I wasn't here too long before I met her
The lady really swept me off my feet
She stayed just long enough for me to love her
And now they're sweepin' me up off the street
My mama thinks I've really hit the big time
She's written every day since I've been gone
She don't know that 109 East Charlotte
Is the address of the East Side Mission Home
And I'm walking on the sidewalks...
Yes I'm walking on the sidewalks...
Tough Streets of Chicago
Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago............................... rico avila
-Submitted by Athena Tsunis
"My Kinda Town" Frank Sinatra
Chicago, Chicago that toddling town
Chicago, Chicago I will show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don't do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago my home town
Chicago, Chicago that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago I'll show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things that they never do on Broadway -- say
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man and he danced with his wife In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago -- that's my home town Submitted by David Verduzco
"When The Levee Breaks" Led Zeppelin
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break, [X2]
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay.
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan, [X2]
Got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home,
Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well.
Don't it make you feel bad
When you're tryin' to find your way home,
You don't know which way to go?
If you're goin' down South
They go no work to do,
If you don't know about Chicago.
Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
ow, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move.
All last night sat on the levee and moaned, [X2]
Thinkin' about me baby and my happy home.
Going, going to Chicago... Going to Chicago... Sorry but I can't take you...
Going down... going down now... going down....
submitted by Robin Hannah
Doug Palmer Chicago by Frank Sinatra
Chicago, Chicago that toddling town Chicago, Chicago I will show you around - I love it Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say They do things they don't do on Broadway They have the time, the time of their life I saw a man, he danced with his wife In Chicago, Chicago my home town
Chicago, Chicago that toddlin' town Chicago, Chicago I'll show you around - I love it Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say They do things that they never do on Broadway -- say They have the time, the time of their life I saw a man and he danced with his wife In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago -- that's my home town
Writer: DAVIS, MAC Presented by: Elvis Presley title: In The Getto As the snow fliesOn a cold and gray Chicago mornin'A poor little baby child is bornIn the ghettoAnd his mama criesCause if there's one thing that she don't needIt's another hungry mouth to feedIn the ghettoPeople, don't you understandThe child needs a helping handOr he'll grow to be an angry young man some dayTake a look at you and me,Are we too blind to see,Do we simply turn our headsAnd look the other wayWell the world turnsAnd a hungry little boy with a runny nosePlays in the street as the cold wind blowsIn the ghettoAnd his hunger burnsSo he starts to roam the streets at nightAnd he learns how to stealAnd he learns how to fightIn the ghettoThen one night in desperationA young man breaks awayHe buys a gun, steals a car,Tries to run, but he don't get farAnd his mama criesAs a crowd gathers 'round an angry young manFace down on the street with a gun in his handIn the ghettoAs her young man dies,On a cold and gray Chicago mornin',Another little baby child is bornIn the ghettoAnd his mama cries
-Calvin Jones
Cold Irons Bound
||
(first release, live version, december 16, 1997, el ray theatre, los angeles)
I�m beginnin� to hear voices and there�s no one around
Well I�m all used up and the fields have turned brown
I went to church on sunday, she passed by
Well my love for her has taken such a long time to die.
Well, I�m waist deep, waist deep in the mist
It�s almost like, almost like I don�t exist.
I�m twenty miles out of town, cold irons bound.
Well, the walls of pride, well they�re high and they�re wide
Can�t see over to the other side
It�s such a sad thing to see beauty decay
But it�s sadder still to feel your heart turn away.
One look at you and I�m out of control
Like the universe has swallowed me whole.
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
There�s too many people, too many to recall
I thought some of �em were friends of mine, I was wrong about �em all
Well, the road is rocky and the hillside mud
Up over my head, nothing but clouds of blood.
I found my world, found my world in you
But your love just hasn�t proved true.
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound
Twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
Well the winds in chicago ah, they torn me to shreds
Reality has always had too many heads
I tried to love and protect you because I care
I�m gonna remember forever the joy we�ve shared
I�m looking at you and I�m on my bended knee
You�ve no idea what you did to me
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound
Twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
|| Submitted by Janette Allen
Chicago by sufjan stevens fell in love again All things go, all things go Drove to Chicago All things known, all things known We sold our clothes to the state I don't mind, I don't mind I made a lot of mistakes In my mind, in my mind
You came to take us All things go, all things go To recreate us All things grow, all things grow We had our mindset All things known, all things known You had to find it All things go, all things go
I drove to New York In the van, with my friend We slept in parking lots I don't mind, I don't mind I was in love with the place in my mind, in my mind I made a lot of mistake in my mind, in my mind
You came to take us All things go, all things go To recreate us All things grow, all things grow We had our mindset All things know, all things know You had to find it All things go, all things go
If I was crying In the van, with my friend It was for freedom From myself and from the land I made a lot of mistakes
You came to take us All things go, all things go To recreate us All things grow, all things grow We had our mindset All things know, all things know You had to find it All things go, all things go
You came to take us All things go, all things go To recreate us All things grow, all things grow We had our mindset (I made a lot of mistakes) All things know, all things know (I made a lot of mistakes) You had to find it (I made a lot of mistakes) All things go, all things go (I made a lot of mistakes)- Alaina lascano
"Chicago" By: Kate Voegele I've never known you But I'm no stranger to this feeling I know it's over But the hurt's not
What do you call it When broken hearts are not done healing You threw down your cigarette But it's still hot
Well I've learned a lot And here's what I've got
Well didn't I think you would always love me? And didn't I want you to take care of me, baby? Well that ain't happening, no And wouldn't I love just to rise above this? You've gotta believe I've suffered enough to be free So I'm officially leaving Just kiss on the cheek and I'm gone I'll be on the seven o'clock Oh, oh, the seven o'clock to Chicago
It's never easy Breaking this old addiction I've got the reason But no rationale
I wanna hate you Cause you don't give me no conviction Your betrayal ought to make this breakdown No trouble at all
So let the rubble fall Cause I'm running off
I'll be on the seven o'clock to Chicago I ain't got no second thoughts because I know I'm On my way to the top I'm on my way, yeah
Submitted by Tierra Roetto
A Chicago Feel to It
by: N/A
this i know
you're leaving
leaving for a new stage
a new life
being just a few steps behind you
i can't even imagine what you'll face
except the warnings
and the stories we've all heard
Cincinnati has held you
swaddled you in itself
whether you liked it or not.
the people here have surrounded you
loved you
even if you weren't aware
this is scary for you
this new huge place
with same-sized people
filling it all up
but guess what?
it will swaddle you too
sometimes things work like that
if you love life
and i know you do
life will love you back
no matter where you are
Chicago is stealing you from me
with all its culture
i know you'll fit in there
you'll walk, live, and breathe there
just like here
but with the added element of growth
one of the most beautiful concepts
that can ever be thought of
happening inside you
you're tinted with this Other place
so now, naive as i am
i have equated you with the Windy City
If i ever go there
find my way there
you'll be in every face
and every door way
watching and laughing
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
Oh baby don't you want to go Oh baby don't you want to go Back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
Oh baby don't you want to go Oh baby don't you want to go Back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
Now one and one is two two and two is four I'm heavy loaded baby I'm booked I gotta go
Cryin baby honey don't you want to go back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
Now two and two is four four and two is six You gonna keep monkeyin round here friend-boy you gonna get your business all in a trick
But I'm cryin baby honey don't you wanna go Back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
Now six and two is eight eight and two is ten Friend-boy she trick you one time she sure gonna do it again
But I'm cryin hey hey baby don't you want to go back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
I'm goin to california from there to Des Moines Iowa Somebody will tell me that you need my help someday
cryin hey hey baby don't you want to go back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago
- Submitted by Edwin Santana The Harbor - Carl Sandburg PASSING through huddled and ugly walls By doorways where women Looked from their hunger-deep eyes, Haunted with shadows of hunger-hands, Out from the huddled and ugly walls, I came sudden, at the city's edge, On a blue burst of lake, Long lake waves breaking under the sun On a spray-flung curve of shore; And a fluttering storm of gulls, Masses of great gray wings And flying white bellies Veering and wheeling free in the open - Submitted by Craig Andri
"Tonight, Tonight" - The Smashing Pumpkins
Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave
without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
Believe, believe in me, believe
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We're not the same, we're different tonight Tonight,
so bright Tonight And you know you're never sure
But you're sure you could be right
If you held yourself up to the light
And the embers never fade in your city by the lake
The place where you were born
Believe, believe in me, believe
In the resolute urgency of now
And if you believe there's not a chance tonight Tonight,
so bright Tonight We'll crucify the insincere tonight
We'll make things right, we'll feel it all tonight
We'll find a way to offer up the night tonight
The indescribable moments of your life tonight
The impossible is possible tonight
Believe in me as I believe in you, tonight
Take Me Back to Chicago
||
Take me back to chicago Lay my soul to rest Where my life was free and easy Remember me at my best Take me back to chicago Where music was all I had I tried to be good as I could And sometimes that made me sad Take me back to chicago, to chicago Why don’t you take me back Take me back, take me back To chicago I still dream of the lake of peacefulness The warm summer breeze ’cause my life was so much simpler then Street corners and tastee freeze Take me back to chicago ’cause hustlin’s not my style L.a. was just a bit too hard I wish I could be a child Livin’ back in chicago, in chicago Why don’t you take me back Take me back, take me back To chicago Take me back to chicago Lay my soul to rest Where my life was free and easy Remember me at my best Take me back to chicago ’cause hustlin’s not my style L.a. was just a bit too hard I wish I could be a child Livin’ back in chicago, in chicago Why don’t you take me back Take me back, take me back To chicago Take me back, take me back.... Submitted by Brad Diehl
|| Home- Kanye West Submitted by Christina Rafael
(Chorus)
Go ahead roll it up and pass it round
Cause lately's been a whole lot of bullshit going down
A lot of soldiers aint make it through this year
So lets just celebrate that we still here and
Whoooooooaa
Never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be comin home
Ooh, never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be coming home
My homie called me like what up man
Not from Florida but what up fam
It's been a whole lot of hatin again
And if they hatin on me damn what up then
I met this girl when I was three years old
and what I love most she had so much soul
She said excuse me lil homey, I know you don't know me but uh my name is wendy (windy) and yo, I like to blow trees
and from that point I never blow her off
niggas come from out of town I like to show her off
They like to act tough she like to tore em off
and make them straighten up they hat cuz she know they soft
and when I grew up she showed me how to go downtown
and at nighttime her face lit up, so astounding
I told her in my heart is where she'll always be
She never mess with entertainers 'cuz they always leave
She said it feel like you walked and drove on me
knew I was gang affiliated got on t.v. and told on me
I guess that's why last winter she got so cold on me
She said Ye, keep makin that platinum and gold for me
but if you really cared for her
Then you would have never hit the airport and followed your dreams
Sometimes I still talk to her
but when I talk to her it always seem like she talkin bout me
She said you left ya kids and they just like you
They wanna rap and make soul beats just like you
but they just not you
and I just got through
Talkin bout what niggas tryin to do just not new
Now everybody got the game figured out all wrong
I guess you never know what you got till is gone
I guess that's why I'm here and I can't come back home
and guess when I heard that when I was back home
In the interviews I'm representin you makin you proud
Shoot for the stars so if you fall you land on the clouds
Jump in the crowds
Spark ya lighters and wave 'em around
If you don't know by now I'm talkin about Chi-town
(Chorus)
Go ahead roll it up and pass it round
Cause lately's been a whole lot of bullshit going down
A lot of soldiers aint make it through this year
So lets just celebrate that we still here and
Whoooooooaa
Never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be comin home
Ooh, never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be coming home
Back To Chicago by Styx
I was waiting all alone last night
When they cancelled all remaining flights
And I was suddenly aware, I was being so unfair
To turn and run from you again
So I called you on the telephone
And I said hey girl I'm coming home
Cause I know my words were cruel
And that I acted like a fool
But I'm gonna make it all up to you
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
Let's go walking by the beach tonight
And watch the sun come up on Lake Shore Drive
Then I'll take you in my arms
And I'll keep you from all harm
Cause I know everything is gonna be alright
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Just walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good
Know it's understood
I'm coming home to stay this time
Submitted by Kaitlyn Charley POPULATION DRIFTS
NEW-MOWN hay smell and wind of the plain made her
a woman whose ribs had the power of the hills in
them and her hands were tough for work and there
was passion for life in her womb.
She and her man crossed the ocean and the years that
marked their faces saw them haggling with landlords
and grocers while six children played on the stones
and prowled in the garbage cans.
One child coughed its lungs away, two more have adenoids
and can neither talk nor run like their mother,
one is in jail, two have jobs in a box factory
And as they fold the pasteboard, they wonder what the
wishing is and the wistful glory in them that flutters
faintly when the glimmer of spring comes on
the air or the green of summer turns brown:
They do not know it is the new-mown hay smell calling
and the wind of the plain praying for them to come
back and take hold of life again with tough hands
and with passion.
In The Ghetto - Elvis Presley/Mac Davis
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
It's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
People, don't you understand
The child needs a helping hand
Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me,
Are we too blind to see,
Do we simply turn our heads
And look the other way
Well the world turns
And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal
And he learns how to fight
In the ghetto
Then one night in desperation
A young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car,
Tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
Face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
As her young man dies,
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
Analysis:
"A young man breaks away"
By saying that the young man breaks away, he is implying that the life the young man is living is holding him back or imprisoning him in a way. In the lines prior to this one, he states all of the hardships that he faces on a daily basis and it makes it understandable that the young man would want to break free of the life he lives.
Submitted by Jake Brown-Garcia
Chicago by Carl Sandburg
Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse,
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
Submitted by Ryan Sweeney
Tough Streets Of Chicago Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................
Rico Avila
Submitted by Cassie Bahne
Saturday In The Park by Chicago
Songwriters: Lamm, Robert William;
Saturday in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
Saturday in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing Italian songs
[Foreign content]
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday
Another day in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
Another day in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
People talking, really smiling
A man playing Guitar
And singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Slow motion riders, fly the colors of the day
A bronze man, still can tell stories his own way
Listen children all is not lost
All is not lost, oh no, no
Funny days in the park
And every day is the fourth of July
Funny days in the park
And every day is the fourth of July
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For the day
Submitted by David Flores
Swing Life Away - by Rise Against Submitted - by Sam Cromwell
Am I loud and clear Or am I breaking up? Am I still your charm Or am I just bad luck? Are we getting closer Or are we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine If you show me yours first Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse Let's unwrite these pages And replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away We get by just fine here on minimum wage If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long Think that it's time to move The winter's so cold Summer's over too soon Let's pack our bags and Settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends Some that I hardly know We've had some times I wouldn't trade for the world We chase these days down with talks Of the places that we will go
We live on front porches and swing life away We get by just fine here on minimum wage If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand Until you hold my hand
I'll show you mine If you show me yours first Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse And let's unwrite these pages And replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away We get by just fine here on minimum wage If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away Swing life away Swing life away Swing life away
Chicago, Chicago--that toddlin' town.
Chicago, Chicago--I will show you around. I love it.
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.
The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down.
On State Street, that great street, I'd just want to say -
They do things they don't do on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
I saw a man, he danced with his wife.
In Chicago, Chicago, my home town.
Chicago, Chicago--that toddlin' town.
Chicago, Chicago--I'll show you around. I love it.
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down.
On State Street that great street, I'd just like to say -
They do things that they never do on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
I saw a man, he danced with his wife.
In Chicago... Chicago... Chicago.
That's my hometown!
Woman you must be stone down crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I said baby you must be stone crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I wanna know how could you treat me so dirty baby
You must think my little heart is made of iron
Lord as I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling down from my eyes
Yes I sit I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down from my eyes
Yes you know my little baby looked at me and said daddy
Ohh, God knows you're the hurted child
Oh yeah
Somebody come and get me
Yes I think I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes I said I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes you know that I'm playing around in this big city so long man
Ohh, 'till I'm almost just done frooze
Darling you must be stone crazy
Or either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I said woman you must be stone down crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I wanna know how could you treat me so low down and dirty
You must be think my little heart is made of iron
Wow as I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down my eyes
Yes I sit I sit right here right here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down from my eyes
Yes you know my little girl looked at me and said
Ohh, my daddy is a hurted child
Ohh, Look-a-here now
Somebody come here
Lord I believe I'm going back down south
Where the weather suits my clothes
Yes I believe I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes you know that I've played around in these big cities so long man
Ohh, 'till I'm almost done frooze
South Bay Surfer By:The Beach Boys
Look out here come those south bay surfers
California’s gettin’ hot
There they go cruisin’ down that coastline
Lookin’ for their favorite spot
We’ll find the big one
Oh the boys are rough and
Ready to handle anything
They take the big one
They’ve got to be the best thing going
South bay surfers really swing
Okay rock out
Oh chicago can’t you hear them
Hear that shore pound slam
(you’re gonna eat it)
(smash!)
It rumbles clear to new york city
Detroit back to old miam
Philly back to alabam
You’ll catch ’em surfing
Chicago Sestina By Carl Sandburg I am surprised by the streets of Chicago
when the palm of winter grips them with snow
as if to forgive the city’s mistakes
and give it a canvas that’s new, white, and clean–
its fingers, the branches on all of the trees
kneading the air that blows in from the lake.
I’ve never lived next to the pulse of the lake
(until I set foot down the side of Chicago)
breathing in through the streets and out through the trees
welcoming the cool of the wet, numbing snow.
It lets my mind slip into thinking it’s clean
as if to personally forgive my mistakes.
“But what have you done to forgive your mistakes? ”
Did I ask this? Or is that the voice of the lake?
Some days, not even does it appear clean,
worn down from its tall standing neighbor, Chicago.
It scrapes at the sky, asking it for more snow
to stick to and freeze the trunks of the trees.
If I were a branch on one of these trees
incapable of making a single mistake,
I’d grab at the sky as it shook out the snow
and grow my roots thick till they tasted the lake.
But I wouldn’t bend to the force of Chicago
that’s constantly keeping me from being clean.
And what does it mean to try to be clean?
I don’t understand the stillness of the trees
when they’re being attacked by the size of Chicago
as if to glorify the city’s mistakes
that glisten like stars at night on the lake
before it all froze and was covered with snow.
Ah! To imagine how long there’s been snow.
How can something this old still feel so clean
and dance through the wind that swoops in from the lake?
Is it the kneading by the spiny branches on trees
trusting that there will be no more mistakes
that leaves these the only pure thing in Chicago?
Here comes the snow that seeks out the trees
Am I now clean? Where are my mistakes?
Chicago belongs where it lay with the lake. Brian Maloney
Submitted By: Jessie Armstrong
Chicago is Just The Way- Eddie Boyd
(a boogie)
This is my story about Chicago
I learned it all one day
Your best friend will decieve you
He'll steal your gal away
Hey, believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way
I used to have a friend
I would let him wear my clothes
He got sweet on my gal
She gave him all my gold
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way
(piano, guitar & instrumental)
The other night while cruisin'
Down the avenue
I caught them huggin' an kissin'
Like she an I used to do
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way-ay
I walked over to the table
This is what I had to say
'You can have her old man
But you both should be dead
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way-ay.
(piano & instrumental to end)
Submitted by: Alexis Halsted
CHICAGO
HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Tough Streets of Chicago
Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................
Rico Avila
-Jake Coleman
Voodoo Rain in Chicago
By Gregory Pickett
Magic
Each glistening drop
tinkers and shimmers
Falls
from each which way
mystically resembling that which glitters
Yes, the Voodoo comes down, even in Chicago
Black
gathers energy fast
and bewitches even the strongest
Star
burning in crimson fury
cascade down on us the longest
Even in Chicago, Yes, the Voodoo comes Down
BY CIN SWEET FIELDS
Will I?
I dunno, I might like you enough
in Chicago
enough to go to bed with you
yes, maybe Chicago in the fall
but come to think of it, sorry, no
not even in Chicago, not even in the fall
But perhaps, maybe in Vienna
yes, i'm certain of it now
Definitely in Vienna
yes, in Vienna in the spring,
I would go to bed with you
But Then
it isn't spring, we aren't in Vienna
so No
submitted by Rosali Delgado
Posted by Erin Combs
Performed by Merle Haggard
The Levi's that I'm wearing have been good to me
They just won't admit they're growing old
And though my shirt's made contact with a gutter now and then
At least it keeps my body from the cold
Thank God the folks back home in Harlan County
Can't see what success has done for me
Would you believe that kids in Harlan High School
Voted me most likely to succeeded
Now I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
Yes I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
Wishing I'd have lived some other time
I wasn't here too long before I met her
The lady really swept me off my feet
She stayed just long enough for me to love her
And now they're sweepin' me up off the street
My mama thinks I've really hit the big time
She's written every day since I've been gone
She don't know that 109 East Charlotte
Is the address of the East Side Mission Home
And I'm walking on the sidewalks...
Yes I'm walking on the sidewalks...
Tough Streets of Chicago
Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................
rico avila
-Submitted by Athena Tsunis
"My Kinda Town" Frank Sinatra
Chicago, Chicago that toddling town
Chicago, Chicago I will show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don't do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago my home town
Chicago, Chicago that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago I'll show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things that they never do on Broadway -- say
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man and he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago -- that's my home town
Submitted by David Verduzco
"When The Levee Breaks"
Led Zeppelin
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break, [X2]
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay.
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan, [X2]
Got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home,
Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well.
Don't it make you feel bad
When you're tryin' to find your way home,
You don't know which way to go?
If you're goin' down South
They go no work to do,
If you don't know about Chicago.
Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
ow, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move.
All last night sat on the levee and moaned, [X2]
Thinkin' about me baby and my happy home.
Going, going to Chicago... Going to Chicago... Sorry but I can't take you...
Going down... going down now... going down....
submitted by Robin Hannah
Doug Palmer
Chicago by Frank Sinatra
Chicago, Chicago that toddling town
Chicago, Chicago I will show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don't do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago my home town
Chicago, Chicago that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago I'll show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things that they never do on Broadway -- say
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man and he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago -- that's my home town
Writer: DAVIS, MAC Presented by: Elvis Presley title: In The Getto
As the snow fliesOn a cold and gray Chicago mornin'A poor little baby child is bornIn the ghettoAnd his mama criesCause if there's one thing that she don't needIt's another hungry mouth to feedIn the ghettoPeople, don't you understandThe child needs a helping handOr he'll grow to be an angry young man some dayTake a look at you and me,Are we too blind to see,Do we simply turn our headsAnd look the other wayWell the world turnsAnd a hungry little boy with a runny nosePlays in the street as the cold wind blowsIn the ghettoAnd his hunger burnsSo he starts to roam the streets at nightAnd he learns how to stealAnd he learns how to fightIn the ghettoThen one night in desperationA young man breaks awayHe buys a gun, steals a car,Tries to run, but he don't get farAnd his mama criesAs a crowd gathers 'round an angry young manFace down on the street with a gun in his handIn the ghettoAs her young man dies,On a cold and gray Chicago mornin',Another little baby child is bornIn the ghettoAnd his mama cries
-Calvin Jones
||
I�m beginnin� to hear voices and there�s no one around
Well I�m all used up and the fields have turned brown
I went to church on sunday, she passed by
Well my love for her has taken such a long time to die.
Well, I�m waist deep, waist deep in the mist
It�s almost like, almost like I don�t exist.
I�m twenty miles out of town, cold irons bound.
Well, the walls of pride, well they�re high and they�re wide
Can�t see over to the other side
It�s such a sad thing to see beauty decay
But it�s sadder still to feel your heart turn away.
One look at you and I�m out of control
Like the universe has swallowed me whole.
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
There�s too many people, too many to recall
I thought some of �em were friends of mine, I was wrong about �em all
Well, the road is rocky and the hillside mud
Up over my head, nothing but clouds of blood.
I found my world, found my world in you
But your love just hasn�t proved true.
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound
Twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
Well the winds in chicago ah, they torn me to shreds
Reality has always had too many heads
I tried to love and protect you because I care
I�m gonna remember forever the joy we�ve shared
I�m looking at you and I�m on my bended knee
You�ve no idea what you did to me
I�m twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound
Twenty miles out of town and cold irons bound.
||
Submitted by Janette Allen
Chicago by sufjan stevens
fell in love again
All things go, all things go
Drove to Chicago
All things known, all things known
We sold our clothes to the state
I don't mind, I don't mind
I made a lot of mistakes
In my mind, in my mind
You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things known, all things known
You had to find it
All things go, all things go
I drove to New York
In the van, with my friend
We slept in parking lots
I don't mind, I don't mind
I was in love with the place in my mind, in my mind
I made a lot of mistake in my mind, in my mind
You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things know, all things know
You had to find it
All things go, all things go
If I was crying
In the van, with my friend
It was for freedom
From myself and from the land
I made a lot of mistakes
You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things know, all things know
You had to find it
All things go, all things go
You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
(I made a lot of mistakes)
All things know, all things know
(I made a lot of mistakes)
You had to find it
(I made a lot of mistakes)
All things go, all things go
(I made a lot of mistakes)- Alaina lascano
"Chicago"
By: Kate Voegele
I've never known you
But I'm no stranger to this feeling
I know it's over
But the hurt's not
What do you call it
When broken hearts are not done healing
You threw down your cigarette
But it's still hot
Well I've learned a lot
And here's what I've got
Well didn't I think you would always love me?
And didn't I want you to take care of me, baby?
Well that ain't happening, no
And wouldn't I love just to rise above this?
You've gotta believe I've suffered enough to be free
So I'm officially leaving
Just kiss on the cheek and I'm gone
I'll be on the seven o'clock
Oh, oh, the seven o'clock to Chicago
It's never easy
Breaking this old addiction
I've got the reason
But no rationale
I wanna hate you
Cause you don't give me no conviction
Your betrayal ought to make this breakdown
No trouble at all
So let the rubble fall
Cause I'm running off
I'll be on the seven o'clock to Chicago
I ain't got no second thoughts because I know I'm
On my way to the top
I'm on my way, yeah
Submitted by Tierra Roetto
A Chicago Feel to It
by: N/A
this i know
you're leaving
leaving for a new stage
a new life
being just a few steps behind you
i can't even imagine what you'll face
except the warnings
and the stories we've all heard
Cincinnati has held you
swaddled you in itself
whether you liked it or not.
the people here have surrounded you
loved you
even if you weren't aware
this is scary for you
this new huge place
with same-sized people
filling it all up
but guess what?
it will swaddle you too
sometimes things work like that
if you love life
and i know you do
life will love you back
no matter where you are
Chicago is stealing you from me
with all its culture
i know you'll fit in there
you'll walk, live, and breathe there
just like here
but with the added element of growth
one of the most beautiful concepts
that can ever be thought of
happening inside you
you're tinted with this Other place
so now, naive as i am
i have equated you with the Windy City
If i ever go there
find my way there
you'll be in every face
and every door way
watching and laughing
Robert Johnson Sweet Home Chicago
Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
Now one and one is two
two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm booked I gotta go
Cryin baby
honey don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
Now two and two is four
four and two is six
You gonna keep monkeyin round here friend-boy
you gonna get your business all in a trick
But I'm cryin baby
honey don't you wanna go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
Now six and two is eight
eight and two is ten
Friend-boy she trick you one time
she sure gonna do it again
But I'm cryin hey hey
baby don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
I'm goin to california
from there to Des Moines Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
need my help someday
cryin hey hey
baby don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago
- Submitted by Edwin Santana
The Harbor - Carl Sandburg
PASSING through huddled and ugly walls
By doorways where women
Looked from their hunger-deep eyes,
Haunted with shadows of hunger-hands,
Out from the huddled and ugly walls,
I came sudden, at the city's edge,
On a blue burst of lake,
Long lake waves breaking under the sun
On a spray-flung curve of shore;
And a fluttering storm of gulls,
Masses of great gray wings
And flying white bellies
Veering and wheeling free in the open
- Submitted by Craig Andri
"Tonight, Tonight" - The Smashing Pumpkins
Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave
without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
Believe, believe in me, believe
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We're not the same, we're different tonight Tonight,
so bright Tonight And you know you're never sure
But you're sure you could be right
If you held yourself up to the light
And the embers never fade in your city by the lake
The place where you were born
Believe, believe in me, believe
In the resolute urgency of now
And if you believe there's not a chance tonight Tonight,
so bright Tonight We'll crucify the insincere tonight
We'll make things right, we'll feel it all tonight
We'll find a way to offer up the night tonight
The indescribable moments of your life tonight
The impossible is possible tonight
Believe in me as I believe in you, tonight
||
Lay my soul to rest
Where my life was free and easy
Remember me at my best
Take me back to chicago
Where music was all I had
I tried to be good as I could
And sometimes that made me sad
Take me back to chicago, to chicago
Why don’t you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
I still dream of the lake of peacefulness
The warm summer breeze
’cause my life was so much simpler then
Street corners and tastee freeze
Take me back to chicago
’cause hustlin’s not my style
L.a. was just a bit too hard
I wish I could be a child
Livin’ back in chicago, in chicago
Why don’t you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
Take me back to chicago
Lay my soul to rest
Where my life was free and easy
Remember me at my best
Take me back to chicago
’cause hustlin’s not my style
L.a. was just a bit too hard
I wish I could be a child
Livin’ back in chicago, in chicago
Why don’t you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
Take me back, take me back....
Submitted by Brad Diehl
||
Home- Kanye West
Submitted by Christina Rafael
(Chorus)
Go ahead roll it up and pass it round
Cause lately's been a whole lot of bullshit going down
A lot of soldiers aint make it through this year
So lets just celebrate that we still here and
Whoooooooaa
Never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be comin home
Ooh, never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be coming home
My homie called me like what up man
Not from Florida but what up fam
It's been a whole lot of hatin again
And if they hatin on me damn what up then
I met this girl when I was three years old
and what I love most she had so much soul
She said excuse me lil homey, I know you don't know me but uh my name is wendy (windy) and yo, I like to blow trees
and from that point I never blow her off
niggas come from out of town I like to show her off
They like to act tough she like to tore em off
and make them straighten up they hat cuz she know they soft
and when I grew up she showed me how to go downtown
and at nighttime her face lit up, so astounding
I told her in my heart is where she'll always be
She never mess with entertainers 'cuz they always leave
She said it feel like you walked and drove on me
knew I was gang affiliated got on t.v. and told on me
I guess that's why last winter she got so cold on me
She said Ye, keep makin that platinum and gold for me
but if you really cared for her
Then you would have never hit the airport and followed your dreams
Sometimes I still talk to her
but when I talk to her it always seem like she talkin bout me
She said you left ya kids and they just like you
They wanna rap and make soul beats just like you
but they just not you
and I just got through
Talkin bout what niggas tryin to do just not new
Now everybody got the game figured out all wrong
I guess you never know what you got till is gone
I guess that's why I'm here and I can't come back home
and guess when I heard that when I was back home
In the interviews I'm representin you makin you proud
Shoot for the stars so if you fall you land on the clouds
Jump in the crowds
Spark ya lighters and wave 'em around
If you don't know by now I'm talkin about Chi-town
(Chorus)
Go ahead roll it up and pass it round
Cause lately's been a whole lot of bullshit going down
A lot of soldiers aint make it through this year
So lets just celebrate that we still here and
Whoooooooaa
Never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be comin home
Ooh, never leave me alooooooooone
Tell em holla at ya boyyy and cause I'll be comin home
I'll be coming home
Back To Chicago by Styx
I was waiting all alone last night
When they cancelled all remaining flights
And I was suddenly aware, I was being so unfair
To turn and run from you again
So I called you on the telephone
And I said hey girl I'm coming home
Cause I know my words were cruel
And that I acted like a fool
But I'm gonna make it all up to you
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
Let's go walking by the beach tonight
And watch the sun come up on Lake Shore Drive
Then I'll take you in my arms
And I'll keep you from all harm
Cause I know everything is gonna be alright
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Just walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good
Know it's understood
I'm coming home to stay this time
Submitted by Kaitlyn Charley
POPULATION DRIFTS
NEW-MOWN hay smell and wind of the plain made her
a woman whose ribs had the power of the hills in
them and her hands were tough for work and there
was passion for life in her womb.
She and her man crossed the ocean and the years that
marked their faces saw them haggling with landlords
and grocers while six children played on the stones
and prowled in the garbage cans.
One child coughed its lungs away, two more have adenoids
and can neither talk nor run like their mother,
one is in jail, two have jobs in a box factory
And as they fold the pasteboard, they wonder what the
wishing is and the wistful glory in them that flutters
faintly when the glimmer of spring comes on
the air or the green of summer turns brown:
They do not know it is the new-mown hay smell calling
and the wind of the plain praying for them to come
back and take hold of life again with tough hands
and with passion.
In The Ghetto - Elvis Presley/Mac Davis
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
It's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
People, don't you understand
The child needs a helping hand
Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me,
Are we too blind to see,
Do we simply turn our heads
And look the other way
Well the world turns
And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal
And he learns how to fight
In the ghetto
Then one night in desperation
A young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car,
Tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
Face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
As her young man dies,
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
Analysis:
"A young man breaks away"
By saying that the young man breaks away, he is implying that the life the young man is living is holding him back or imprisoning him in a way. In the lines prior to this one, he states all of the hardships that he faces on a daily basis and it makes it understandable that the young man would want to break free of the life he lives.
Submitted by Jake Brown-Garcia
Chicago by Carl Sandburg
Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse,
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
Submitted by Ryan Sweeney
Tough Streets Of Chicago
Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.
Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.
Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................
Rico Avila
Submitted by Cassie Bahne
Saturday In The Park by Chicago
Songwriters: Lamm, Robert William;
Saturday in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
Saturday in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing Italian songs
[Foreign content]
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday
Another day in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
Another day in the park
I think, it was the fourth of July
People talking, really smiling
A man playing Guitar
And singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Slow motion riders, fly the colors of the day
A bronze man, still can tell stories his own way
Listen children all is not lost
All is not lost, oh no, no
Funny days in the park
And every day is the fourth of July
Funny days in the park
And every day is the fourth of July
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For the day
Submitted by David Flores
Swing Life Away - by Rise Against
Submitted - by Sam Cromwell
Am I loud and clear
Or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm
Or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer
Or are we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine
If you show me yours first
Let's compare scars
I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages
And replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long
Think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold
Summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and
Settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends
Some that I hardly know
We've had some times
I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks
Of the places that we will go
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Until you hold my hand
I'll show you mine
If you show me yours first
Let's compare scars
I'll tell you whose is worse
And let's unwrite these pages
And replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor, I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Chicago, Chicago--that toddlin' town.
Chicago, Chicago--I will show you around. I love it.
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.
The town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down.
On State Street, that great street, I'd just want to say -
They do things they don't do on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
I saw a man, he danced with his wife.
In Chicago, Chicago, my home town.
Chicago, Chicago--that toddlin' town.
Chicago, Chicago--I'll show you around. I love it.
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down.
On State Street that great street, I'd just like to say -
They do things that they never do on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
I saw a man, he danced with his wife.
In Chicago... Chicago... Chicago.
That's my hometown!
Woman you must be stone down crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I said baby you must be stone crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I wanna know how could you treat me so dirty baby
You must think my little heart is made of iron
Lord as I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling down from my eyes
Yes I sit I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down from my eyes
Yes you know my little baby looked at me and said daddy
Ohh, God knows you're the hurted child
Oh yeah
Somebody come and get me
Yes I think I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes I said I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes you know that I'm playing around in this big city so long man
Ohh, 'till I'm almost just done frooze
Darling you must be stone crazy
Or either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I said woman you must be stone down crazy
Either you're going to lose your mind
Yes I wanna know how could you treat me so low down and dirty
You must be think my little heart is made of iron
Wow as I sit here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down my eyes
Yes I sit I sit right here right here in my dark room
Tears rolling all down from my eyes
Yes you know my little girl looked at me and said
Ohh, my daddy is a hurted child
Ohh, Look-a-here now
Somebody come here
Lord I believe I'm going back down south
Where the weather suits my clothes
Yes I believe I'm going back down south
People where the weather suits my clothes
Yes you know that I've played around in these big cities so long man
Ohh, 'till I'm almost done frooze
By:The Beach Boys
California’s gettin’ hot
There they go cruisin’ down that coastline
Lookin’ for their favorite spot
We’ll find the big one
Oh the boys are rough and
Ready to handle anything
They take the big one
They’ve got to be the best thing going
South bay surfers really swing
Okay rock out
Oh chicago can’t you hear them
Hear that shore pound slam
(you’re gonna eat it)
(smash!)
It rumbles clear to new york city
Detroit back to old miam
Philly back to alabam
You’ll catch ’em surfing
Chicago Sestina
By Carl Sandburg
I am surprised by the streets of Chicago
when the palm of winter grips them with snow
as if to forgive the city’s mistakes
and give it a canvas that’s new, white, and clean–
its fingers, the branches on all of the trees
kneading the air that blows in from the lake.
I’ve never lived next to the pulse of the lake
(until I set foot down the side of Chicago)
breathing in through the streets and out through the trees
welcoming the cool of the wet, numbing snow.
It lets my mind slip into thinking it’s clean
as if to personally forgive my mistakes.
“But what have you done to forgive your mistakes? ”
Did I ask this? Or is that the voice of the lake?
Some days, not even does it appear clean,
worn down from its tall standing neighbor, Chicago.
It scrapes at the sky, asking it for more snow
to stick to and freeze the trunks of the trees.
If I were a branch on one of these trees
incapable of making a single mistake,
I’d grab at the sky as it shook out the snow
and grow my roots thick till they tasted the lake.
But I wouldn’t bend to the force of Chicago
that’s constantly keeping me from being clean.
And what does it mean to try to be clean?
I don’t understand the stillness of the trees
when they’re being attacked by the size of Chicago
as if to glorify the city’s mistakes
that glisten like stars at night on the lake
before it all froze and was covered with snow.
Ah! To imagine how long there’s been snow.
How can something this old still feel so clean
and dance through the wind that swoops in from the lake?
Is it the kneading by the spiny branches on trees
trusting that there will be no more mistakes
that leaves these the only pure thing in Chicago?
Here comes the snow that seeks out the trees
Am I now clean? Where are my mistakes?
Chicago belongs where it lay with the lake.
Brian Maloney
Submitted By: Jessie Armstrong
Chicago is Just The Way- Eddie Boyd
(a boogie)
This is my story about Chicago
I learned it all one day
Your best friend will decieve you
He'll steal your gal away
Hey, believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way
I used to have a friend
I would let him wear my clothes
He got sweet on my gal
She gave him all my gold
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way
(piano, guitar & instrumental)
The other night while cruisin'
Down the avenue
I caught them huggin' an kissin'
Like she an I used to do
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way-ay
I walked over to the table
This is what I had to say
'You can have her old man
But you both should be dead
Believe what I tell you
Ev'ry word I said
Don't expect nothin' different
Chicago is just that way-ay.
(piano & instrumental to end)
Submitted by: Alexis Halsted
CHICAGO