In the Ghetto
The Cranberries Lyrics

As the snow flies
The song sets the scene of a freezing winter morning in Chicago.

On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
The morning is so cold that it's gray, and the scenery is in Chicago.

A poor little baby child is born
Despite the cold weather and harsh living conditions in the ghetto, a new life is born.

In the ghetto
The baby is born into a neighborhood that is limited in economic and educational resources.

And his mama cries
The mother is in distress and sheds tears.

'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
The mother is already struggling to provide for herself, and she cannot afford to feed another mouth.

It's another hungry mouth to feed
The mother is worried about feeding the newborn baby.

People, don't you understand
The song calls on people to pay attention and show compassion.

The child needs a helping hand
The baby requires assistance to survive and thrive in this difficult environment.

Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
If the baby does not receive sufficient care and support, he may grow up to be bitter and hostile.

Take a look at you and me
The song confronts the listener and asks them to consider their actions and attitudes.

Are we too blind to see
The song criticizes individuals who are oblivious to the struggles of people living in poverty.

Do we simply turn our heads
The song accuses those who ignore and neglect the poor of willful ignorance.

And look the other way
The song takes issue with people who deliberately choose to ignore the plight of those in need.

Well the world turns
Despite the struggles of individual people, time moves on.

And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
The song describes a young boy who is freezing cold and is getting sick.

Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
Despite the inclement weather, the boy is still playing outside.

In the ghetto
The boy's living conditions are reflective of the pervasive poverty in the neighborhood.

And his hunger burns
The boy is severely hungry and is in pain.

So he starts to roam the streets at night
As a result of his hunger, the boy takes to the streets to try and find food.

And he learns how to steal
The boy is driven to crime out of necessity in order to feed himself.

And he learns how to fight in the ghetto
The boy must learn to defend himself in a dangerous environment.

Then one night in desperation
The boy reaches a breaking point and becomes desperate.

A young man breaks away
The boy has grown up and has become a young man who tries to escape the ghetto.

He buys a gun, steals a car
The young man feels he needs to break the law in order to escape his life in the ghetto.

Tries to run, but he don't get far
The young man's attempt to escape ultimately fails.

And his mama cries
The mother of the young man is saddened by her child's fate.

As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
The young man is evidently an angry criminal who has caused a disturbance.

Face down on the street with a gun in his hand
The young man has been apprehended, and is lying face down with a weapon.

In the ghetto
The song emphasizes that the cycle of poverty and violence in the neighborhood is continuing.

As her young man dies
The mother of the young man must face the tragic reality of her son's death.

On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
Once again, the song returns to the bleak setting of the ghetto on a chillingly cold morning.

Another little baby child is born
Despite the tragedy, life goes on, and a new baby will have to face the same struggles as those before them.

In the ghetto
The song ends where it began, emphasizing the depth and persistence of poverty and hardship in the neighborhood.