© G.J. Griffin, 1999
Vocal, background vocal, acoustic guitar, tremolo electric guitar and programming – Gerry Griffin / Background vocal – Heather Houston / Upright bass – Andy Roberts / Drums – T. Bruce Wittet
People die of exposure and neglect on the streets of the capital city of one of the richest countries in the world – Canada. This song was written as part of the sound track for a documentary, called “Life on the Heater”, made by Tom Mann, which tells the stories of a dozen people on the streets of Ottawa.
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Downwind from the KFC and freedom and democracy
Behind closed doors they’re toying with our lives
Talk’s cheap
What kind of vigilance is this?
If home is where the heart is
Then where in Hell are these poor hearts tonight?
I don’t freeze to death at home
Lay sick alone or have to “move along”
In fact sometimes I even think I’m free.
Not wondering from where my next meal will come
For me and all of my loved ones
Not noticing because it isn’t me.
And sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
We even think we’re free.
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What circumstance that brought you here?
What jagged turn did your life take?
I guess there’s no way out of here alive
It’s shame that tears away the eye
Of each embarrassed passer by
And sometimes we even think we’re free.
Not noticing
Not noticing
Not noticing
Because it isn’t me.
Curled up on a heating grate
Life’s not as simple as it seems
It’s a full time job just staying alive.
It matters not what brought you here
What can they do to help
I doubt they even know you’re alive.
Not noticing
Not noticing
Not noticing
Because it isn’t them.
And sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
We even think we’re free.
This city has a cold and heartless stare
Is anybody hearing me out there?
Anybody hearing me?
Anybody with your heartless stare?
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