Thirty Thousand Men
Urban Struggles: Thirty Thousand Lives on the Edge
Lyrics
Thirty thousand men on the Bowery
Reflects the presence of 30,000 men on the Bowery, a street in New York City.
Thirty thousand men on the street
Reiterates the large number of men on the street, emphasizing their collective presence.
Can't help but roam when you ain't got no home
Addresses the restlessness of individuals without a home, compelled to wander.
Beggin' handouts for something to eat
Describes the plight of begging for food, highlighting the desperation of the situation.
Beggin' handouts for something to eat
Repeats the theme of seeking handouts, emphasizing the struggle for sustenance.
Thirty thousand men on the sidewalk
Reiterates the presence of 30,000 men, this time on the sidewalk, emphasizing their visibility.
Thirty thousand men in the town
Highlights the large population of men in the town, underscoring their collective challenge.
Nowhere to go when the wind starts to blow
Expresses the lack of shelter during harsh weather conditions, adding to their difficulties.
Lookin' 'round for some place to lay down
Conveys the search for a place to rest, illustrating the constant struggle for comfort.
Lookin' 'round for some place to lay down
Repeats the theme of seeking refuge, emphasizing the recurring need for a place to lay down.
Thirty thousand men tired and dirty
Depicts the weariness and uncleanliness of 30,000 men, highlighting their challenging circumstances.
Thirty thousand men to be fed
Addresses the basic need for food for the large population, emphasizing the scale of the issue.
Bussed out to Queens for a chance to get clean
Describes a temporary solution – sending them to Queens for cleanliness and a chance to sleep.
And a shot at some sleep in a bed
Emphasizes the hope for rest in a bed, providing a glimpse of respite for these men.
And a shot at some sleep in a bed
Repeats the theme of seeking sleep, underlining the significance of this basic human need.
Thirty thousand men in the armories
Depicts 30,000 men in armories, facing resistance from neighbors who reject their presence.
Thirty thousand men down the block
Reiterates the concentration of men in a specific area, intensifying the local impact.
Neighbors all shout "We don't want 'em about."
Reflects the negative sentiment of neighbors who oppose the presence of these men.
"Bus 'em back in the morning and stop."
Quotes the neighbors urging to send them back in the morning, demanding a resolution to the issue.
"Bus 'em back in the morning and stop."
Reiterates the neighbors' insistence on a swift resolution to the problem.
Thirty thousand men of depression
Describes the men in the context of the economic depression, emphasizing the broader societal challenges.
Thirty thousand men 'neath a cloud
Places the men under a metaphorical cloud, symbolizing their collective struggle and hardship.
Jobs getting scarce, and they're cutting welfares
Highlights the impact of economic challenges on job availability and welfare programs.
And we might find ourselves in the crowd
Raises the possibility of the narrator and others becoming part of the struggling crowd.
And we might find ourselves in the crowd
Repeats the idea of potential inclusion in the struggling crowd, emphasizing the universality of the issue.
Thirty thousand men in the city
Specifies the location of 30,000 men within the city, providing context to their circumstances.
Thirty thousand men killin' time
Describes the men as idle, indicating a lack of purpose or meaningful activity.
Helpless and cold, some are young, some are old
Portrays the men as helpless and cold, highlighting their vulnerability and harsh living conditions.
Shabby clothes and some bottles of wine
Details the appearance of the men, emphasizing their worn-out clothes and reliance on alcohol.
Shabby clothes and some bottles of wine
Reiterates the image of men with shabby clothes and bottles of wine, underscoring their struggles and coping mechanisms.
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