Baltimore
The Drifters Lyrics


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Beat-up little seagull
On a marble stair
Tryin' to find the ocean
Lookin' everywhere

Hard times in the city
In a hard town by the sea
Ain't nowhere to run to
There ain't nothin' here for free

Hooker on the corner
Waitin' for a train
Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk
Sleepin' in the rain

And they hide their faces
And they hide their eyes
'Cause the city's dyin'
And they don't know why

Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live

Get my sister Sandy
And my little brother Ray
Buy a big old wagon
Gonna haul us all away

Livin' in the country
Where the mountain's high
Never comin' back here
'Til the day I die

Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live




Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live

Overall Meaning

The Drifters' song, Baltimore, is a poignant observation of life in the city of Baltimore during the 1970s. The singer describes a scene of poverty and desperation, with a beat-up little seagull looking for the ocean on a marble stair, and a hooker waiting for a train on the corner. He talks about hard times in the city, where there is no escape from the poverty and crime that surrounds them.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Oh, Baltimore, man it's hard just to live," which emphasizes the difficulties of everyday life in the city. It portrays the people living in Baltimore as the marginalized and the forgotten. It brings to light how the city's decay has left its citizens feeling isolated, forgotten and without hope.


The third verse of the song offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer talking about his plan to take his family away from the city in a big old wagon, and to settle in the country. He talks about never coming back to Baltimore until the day he dies. This offers an escape from the hardships of city life, suggesting that there is little for some people to do but to leave.


Overall, Baltimore is a powerful and moving song that portrays a city plagued by poverty, crime, and decay, but also offers a glimmer of hope for those who choose to escape its grip.


Line by Line Meaning

Beat-up little seagull
An exhausted seagull, tired of wandering, trying to find its direction in life.


On a marble stair
Sitting on a prestigious location which, by its luxurious construct, shows signs of amass wealth around.


Tryin' to find the ocean
A metaphorical ocean, to resume a sense of orientation, calm and stability in life which is amidst an overwhelming gush of difficulties.


Lookin' everywhere
Desperately searching for an outlet in every direction, but nothing seems to work.


Hard times in the city
The economic and social conditions for people living in Baltimore are tough and unforgiving.


In a hard town by the sea
The city is known for being a hub for hardship and despair, despite its location by the sea, which typically some perceive as a calming environment.


Ain't nowhere to run to
There isn't a place where one can retreat from the harsh realities of life in Baltimore.


There ain't nothin' here for free
Everything comes at a cost in Baltimore, nothing is free or easily attainable.


Hooker on the corner
A prostitute is standing on the street corner, waiting for clients.


Waitin' for a train
Searching for a way out, that may never come and all one can do is wait and hope for an opportunity.


Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk
An alcoholic person who has been defeated by life in Baltimore to the point of surrender, is lying on the street's pavement.


Sleepin' in the rain
Homelessness and impoverishment have forced some individuals to live on the streets and sleep outside, exposed to the weather.


And they hide their faces
People are ashamed of their position and the environment they live in.


And they hide their eyes
They do not want to confront the reality of their lives, nor witness the hardships that others also face.


'Cause the city's dyin'
Baltimore is slowly decaying, its social and economic infrastructure is crumbling down.


And they don't know why
They are helpless and unaware of the cause of this social injustice.


Oh, Baltimore
An emotional expression of the artist's anger and despair over the state of Baltimore.


Man, it's hard just to live
Merely surviving is difficult, while life is accompanied by a constant struggle for survival.


Get my sister Sandy
One may have to take care of their loved ones, by leaving and initiating a new life elsewhere.


And my little brother Ray
As well as younger family members, who are often the ones who bear most the brunt of hardship.


Buy a big old wagon
Not having much, yet having a road map which is a great escape plan.


Gonna haul us all away
Leaving one's current situation behind and finding a new place to start over.


Livin' in the country
Moving to a more rural or isolated area, where life has a slower pace and people tend to feel more connected to nature and the environment.


Where the mountain's high
In a place of elevation, far from the troubles of the city below.


Never comin' back here
Closing the door on the past and letting go of previous painful experiences in Baltimore.


'Til the day I die
Until the end of one's time on earth, one vow to not revisit this place of pain.




Writer(s): Lewis Lebish, Patterson, Lover Patterson, Walter Coleman, Coleman, Lebish

Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

tamarahndrsn

Just heard this on "As Good As It Gets" :)

3s2704

Same, only 7 years later

rrockhard1

Just heard it on as good as it get lol wow. ....

Ru Ziyenge Gray

I love it

shirley baker

The local groups all did this live at our dances. They became a marathon.

CasaDeAgua

I've been looking for this forever!!! Bless u

King Gillie

My nephews and niece Grandfather wrote this song for the drifters

Robert Velez

Is Ben E King singing lead on Baltimore? Can someone tell me please?

watersellerog

Charlie Thomas on lead

Maria Popescu

genre?

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