The girl in the alley, kneels with exhaustion,
she's guarded by the skinny guy, who limps from some infection.
Behind a veil of bleached thin hair, her eyes tell a story,
like a photo of Berlin, December 1944.
She's looking for a handout, she's been high for several weeks now.

She's too far gone for whoring, and the money's just gave out.

And her heart still beats inside,
and the blood runs in her veins.
A remnant of life remains,
her heart still beats inside.

The man finally comes to the door, I've seen him several times.
He always looks **'d off, and his sunglasses stay on.
I think he got his biceps and tattoos, while in prison
And it doesn't seem to bother him when he says "Go ta' **"

And his heart still beats inside,
the blood runs in his veins.
A remnant of life remains,
his heart still beats inside.

The thought it comes to my mind, to somehow intervene,
but it could bring me trouble, and what could I do anyway?
It's hard to be effective, when it happens so often,
too see a life unraveling, through drawn venetian blinds.
I'm sickened by compassion, I'm stifled by my limitations
Anesthetic apathy, take the pain away.

And my heart still beats inside,
and the blood runs in my veins.
A remnant of life remains,
and my heart still beats inside

Oh God, we need you here,
We're sinking fast and we don't care.
The evidence is all around me,
on both sides of my door,
Our hearts beat.
Our hearts beat.
Our hearts beat (repeat until fade).

(** designates sound of record scratching)