It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City Lyrics

I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra
I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova
I could walk like Brando right into the sunThen dance just like a Casanova
With my blackjack and jacket and hair slicked sweet
Silver star studs on my duds like a Harley in heat
When I strut down the street I could feel its heartbeat
The sisters fell back and said "Don't that man look pretty"
The cripple on the corner cried out "Nickels for your pity"
Them downtown boys sure talk grittyIt's so hard to be a saint in the city
I was the king if the alley I could talk some trash
I was the prince of the paupers crowned downtown at the beggar's bash
I was the pimp's main prophet I kept everythning cool
A backstreet gambler with the luck to lose
And when the heat came down it was left on the ground
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street
Showin' me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat
I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat
It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy
And the sages of the subway sit just like the living dead
As the tracks clack out the rhythm their eyes fixed straightahead
They ride the line of balance and hold on by just a thread
But it's too hot in these tunnels you can get hit up by the heat
You get up to get out at your next stop but they push you
back down in your seat
Your heart starts beatin' faster as you struggle to your feet
Then you're outa that hole and back up on the street
And them South Side sisters sure look pretty
The cripple on the corner cries out "Nickels for your pity"
And them downtown boys sure talk grittyIt's so hard to be a saint in the city

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run: 30th Anniversary 3-Disc Set (CD/2DVD)

Nov 2005

1. Thunder Road
2. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
3. Spirit In The Night
4. Lost In The Flood
5. She's The One
6. Born To Run
7. The E Street Shuffle/Having A Party
8. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City
9. Backstreets
10. Kitty's Back
11. Jungleland
12. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
13. 4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy)
14. Detroit Medley
15. For You
16. Quarter To Three
17. The Journey
18. Third Album Pressure
19. "Born To Run"
20. A New Band
21. The Studio
22. The Mix
23. The Record Release
24. The Hype
25. End Of The Journey
26. Credits
27. Thunder Road
28. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
29. Night
30. Backstreets
31. Born To Run
32. She's The One
33. Meeting Across The River
34. Jungleland