(Ed Sanford And Michael McDonald)

He was born on the wrong side

Where hopelessness breeds

Where pride is hard to come by

And violence fills a need



Lord, what can the future be

Lookin' from his point of view

'cause here on these desperate streets

Better a short lived legend

Then a long life played for a fool



Homeboy wants to rule the hot town

And the innocent will fall

When the santa ana blows across the killin' ground

It sweeps away what mercy

Is left to be found



A child on a corner

An instrument of greed

Seduced before knowing

The harsh reality



Lord, what will the answer be

Is there nothing we can do

To save him on these desperate streets

Better a long life of tryin'

Than a short life playin' to lose