Hotel Boston Common

In the heart of the city, folks wearing just rags
Some smelly old blankets, bulging green plastic bags
Up ahead by the pavement, I saw a battered old tent
My sight grew focused and I finally knew
Just where Bill Buckner went

As I stood by the station
I felt a blast of steam
And I was thinking to myself,
Is this the Red line or is it the Green ?
Then a gal with a 40… came and asked for a buck
I was shocked to see Joan Kennedy,
Just trying to change her luck...

Welcome to the Hotel Boston Common
An historic place (An historic place)
Welcomes every race
Plenty of bums at the Hotel Boston Common
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find them here

Her bag is carefully-twisted, she got the Smirnoff Red
She hears a voice say, “Kitty, Kitty please go home to bed”
She just sits on the park bench, filled with regret
Though barely remembered, she drinks to forget

So I asked an old boozer
How he pays for his wine
He said, “I haven't had to pay no rent since nineteen sixty nine
I’ve been squattin’ since Volpe was on the hill ,
Now that Deval is the governor elect
I’ll just stay here still...”

Welcome to the Hotel Boston Common
An historic place (An historic place)
Welcomes every race
Plenty of bums at the Hotel Boston Common
Choose a plot of grass (Choose a plot of grass)
And just park your ass

Guitars softly strumming,
The Reggae music plays
And I said “Are you all just freeloaders here, wasting all your days ?”
And then the change was gathered
Some tickets from the bin
They scratch them with their dirty coins,
But they just can't seem to win

Last thing I attempted, I was
Talking to some whore
She longed to turn the Combat Zone
To the place it was before
“Oh well” I said brightly
“There is no need to grieve
Within Boston is a city still,
And it will never leave!”

IB