Baltimore
Baltimore

Nina Simone - Baltimore Lyrics

This poignant piece reflects the struggles and hardships of urban life, specifically within the city of Baltimore. The lyrics depict a bleak picture of poverty, crime, and despair with vivid imagery such as a beat-up seagull trying to find the ocean and… Read more

Jazz
Jul 18, 1995
1K
Baltimore Music Video

Baltimore Lyrics

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
Waiting for a train
Drunk lying on the sidewalk
Sleeping in the rain

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

Oh, Baltimore
Ain't it hard just to live?
Oh, Baltimore
Ain't it hard just to live?
Just to live

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

Live out in the country
Where the mountain's high
Never gonna come back here
'Til the day I die

Oh, Baltimore
Ain't it hard just to live?
Oh, Baltimore
Ain't it hard just to live?
Just to live

Writer(s): Randy Newman
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of Baltimore?

This poignant piece reflects the struggles and hardships of urban life, specifically within the city of Baltimore. The lyrics depict a bleak picture of poverty, crime, and despair with vivid imagery such as a beat-up seagull trying to find the ocean and people hiding their faces in shame. The repeated line "Ain't it hard just to live?" emphasizes the difficulty of survival in such conditions. The singer dreams of escaping with her family to the country where life could be better. This song is not just about Baltimore but also serves as a commentary on social inequality and urban decay in many cities around the world.

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