Baltimore
The Tamlins Lyrics

See a little seagull On a marble stand Tryin' to find the ocean Lookin' everywhere, yeah
A seagull on a marble stand represents the search for something unattainable. The seagull is trying to find the ocean, but it's not there. In life, we may search for the things that we think will make us happy, but they might not exist.

Hard times in the city In a hard town by the sea Ain't nowhere to run to There ain't nothin' there for free
The city represents a difficult place to live. There are no opportunities for growth or for easy, comfortable living. One cannot simply pack up and leave the city, as there is no other place that provides shelter, food, or other basic needs for free.

Copper on the corner Pleading for a drink, yeah Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk Bleding in the rain
The desperate situations of individuals in the city are shown in this verse. A police officer pleads for a drink, and a drunk person lies on the sidewalk, bleeding in the rain. It illustrates the vivid picture of poverty and helplessness in the city.

Good people hide their faces And they hide their eyes, yeah 'Cause the city is dying And they don't know why
The goodness and innocence of people in the city cannot resist the influence of its harsh environment. People are blinded by confusion and fear as they try to make sense of the economic and social decline, which opens wider gaps between the wealthy and the poor.

Oh, oh Baltimore Ain't it hard just to live, live, live Oh, Baltimore Ain't it hard just to live, just to live
The chorus of the song emphasizes how difficult it is to survive in the city. Life is a struggle, and even the simple act of living takes effort. Without the necessary resources and opportunities, people are forced to constantly fight to just survive.

Got my sister, Sandy And my little brother, Ray, yay, yeah Buy a big old wagon To haul us all away
The song suggests that the characters are looking for a way out of the city, taking with them only their family, some basic necessities, and the hope of a better life. The wagon symbolizes the vehicle that carries them away from hardship towards a new beginning.

Live out in the country Where the mountain's high, yay I'm never goin' back there 'Til the day I die
The characters seek refuge in the countryside, a symbol of a peaceful, natural way of living. The mountains and their majesty symbolize the hope of a new life where they can raise a family and work hard to create a better future. They swear to never return to the city that was once their home.

Whoa, oh Baltimore Ain't it hard just to live Oh, Baltimore Ain't it hard just to live, just to live Just to live Oh, Baltimore Oh, Baltimore Ain't it hard, ain't it hard just to live
The final chorus of the song reiterates that life in Baltimore is hard, and that the struggle to live in the city is not easily overcome. It is a nostalgic moment of final reflection, when the characters look back at home and see the city as the place they once came from, but now must leave behind.