This is for the wastrel
Invisible and shamed
Down on his knees on Market Street
His sickness is unnamed
Through the rain he genuflects
His pilgrimage is real
The shoppers with their Christmas lists
Go round him where he kneels
And if your faith is true
And if your faith is strong
You’ll enjoy the freedom from choosing right from wrong
And if your God is great
And if your God is good
He would live on Market Street, not in Hollywood
This is for the poor young girl
With her helpless child
Down on her knees on Market Street
For a little while
She needs the cash to swaddle him
Feed his hungry eyes
Maybe enough to buy a room
But she still needs to fly
Chorus
Little old babushka at
Golden Gate and Hyde
She’s too proud for begging but
Tears are in her eyes
A pair of crystal glasses lie
In her withered hands
She offers these and blessings
I pay her all I can
And if your faith is true
And if your faith is strong
You enjoy the freedom from choosing right from wrong
And if your God is great
And if your God is good
He would live on Market Street, not in Hollywood
And if your God is good
And if your God is great
He would live on Market Street
Near Hyde and Golden Gate
credits
from On Market Street,
released January 27, 2012
Penelope Houston vocals
Steven Strauss - bass
Michael Papenburg - guitar
Jeffrey Wood - Mellotron
Dawn Richardson - bells