The Ghetto
Mark Almond Lyrics
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Seems like I'm a thousand miles from home.
You know that never did I have a friend.
You know I never had a dollar that I could lend.
And sometimes I get down on my knees
And I wonder if He sees.
Down there in the ghetto, where you don't come.
Seems like my life has passed me by.
And you tell me, tears of joy,
But I tell you, I cry!
And sometimes I get down on my knees
And I wonder if He sees.
Don't give me liquor for my pain.
All my friends they never came back again.
Nowhere to run, there's nowhere to hide.
Just me in the ghetto with you looking in from outside.
And sometimes I get down on my knees
And I wonder if He sees.
The lyrics to Mark Almond's song "The Ghetto" are about a man who is alone and isolated in a rough environment. He claims that he has never had a friend, and he has never had a dollar to lend. He expresses his feelings of despair and hopelessness, stating that he feels as though his life has passed him by.
The man describes his hometown of New York City as a place where people don't come, and the ghetto as the only place he has. He seems to feel trapped and unable to escape the bleakness of his situation. He expresses that even though others try to bring him joy and happiness, he cannot help but cry.
The final verse speaks to the man's struggles with addiction, as he pleads for someone to help him through his pain without using liquor. He reveals that his friends have abandoned him, leaving him with nowhere to run or hide. Despite his difficult circumstances, the man still wonders if a divine power sees and understands his struggles.
Overall, "The Ghetto" is a poignant and soulful exploration of the complexities of life in poverty and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am, standing all alone.
I am currently by myself with no one accompanying me.
Seems like I'm a thousand miles from home.
I feel detached from any place I have ever called home.
You know that never did I have a friend.
I have never had companionship or friendship and have always been alone.
You know I never had a dollar that I could lend.
I have never had enough money to lend to someone in need.
And sometimes I get down on my knees
And I wonder if He sees.
At times, I kneel down and question if God sees me and my struggles.
New York City is where I'm from.
I originate from New York City.
Down there in the ghetto, where you don't come.
I reside in the ghetto, and people tend to avoid or ignore it.
Seems like my life has passed me by.
I feel like my existence has been uneventful and unfulfilling.
And you tell me, tears of joy,
But I tell you, I cry!
You express happiness when speaking to me, but in reality, I remain upset and cry internally.
Don't give me liquor for my pain.
Drinking alcohol will not alleviate my emotional burden and struggles.
All my friends they never came back again.
All of my friends have departed, and I have not seen them since.
Nowhere to run, there's nowhere to hide.
I have no place to escape or conceal myself from my current situation.
Just me in the ghetto with you looking in from outside.
I am situated in the ghetto, and you observe me from the outside.
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jack Brown
Still moves my soul today and remains 1 of my top 10 all time favorites. The album is still incredible today 47 yrs. later!
silvanusslaughter
This album rocked my adolescent world into jazz. Thanks!
silvanusslaughter
One of the best tunes of the era. I love the first two albums.
Marcus Propostus
RIP Jon Mark. Thanks a lot for all the beautiful music!
Edmund Vitale
I saw these guys live a few times. Truly exceptional. They toured with this absolutely manic jazz drummer by the name of Danny Richmond. Radio and life was populated by many great bands like these guys - and I wonder if we appreciated it back then?
nazzare79
Most underrated band ever...One of my favourite...Unique style...'tuesday inNY' probably my favourite album but it's difficult to choose among their masterpieces...so sad they are not recognized as they should...
doowop2302
I love the groove Tommy Eyre and Roger Sutton create during the sax solo despite the lack of a drummer, great players.
Andreas Paul Locher
I think with drums it wouldn’t have the same mood …
Hugo Cestari
I am fortunate to have Mark-Almonds complete works, including their earlier collaborations with John Mayall and Sweet Thursday. My favorite album is "To The Heart", although I really like all their material. Very talented band members as well, such as Tommy Eyre who played in Joe Cockers Grease Band and as a session keyboardist for many famous artists.Also Billy Cobham. I am glad this music lives on in the hearts and minds of many.
Andy Howlett
Oh lord what a track, so cool. I had (and I think I still have) this on a sampler LP called 'The Harvest Bag'. Brings back so many memories of being about 17 and those Summers. Samplers were pretty popular in the late 60's and early 70's.