In the Ghetto

by Elvis Presley

From the album: From Elvis in Memphis

Track 12 of 16 on From Elvis in Memphis (1969).

Duration: 02:47

From Elvis in Memphis cover art

Lyrics for In the Ghetto

As the snow flies On a cold and gray Chicago mornin' A poor little baby child is born In the ghetto (In the ghetto) And his mama cries 'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need It is another hungry mouth to feed In the ghetto (In the ghetto) People, don't you understand The child needs a helping hand Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day Take a look at you and me Are we too blind to see? Do we simply turn our heads And look the other way Well, the world turns And a hungry little boy with a runny nose Plays in the street as the cold wind blows In the ghetto (In the ghetto) And his hunger burns So he starts to roam the streets at night And he learns how to steal And he learns how to fight In the ghetto (In the ghetto) Then one night in desperation The young man breaks away He buys a gun, steals a car Tries to run, but he don't get far And his mama cries As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man Face down on the street with a gun in his hand In the ghetto (In the ghetto) And as her young man dies (In the ghetto) On a cold and gray Chicago mornin' Another little baby child is born In the ghetto (In the ghetto) And his mama cries (In the ghetto) (In the ghetto) (Ah)

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More from From Elvis in Memphis

  1. Wearin' That Loved On Look
  2. Only the Strong Survive
  3. I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
  4. Long Black Limousine
  5. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'
  6. I'm Movin' On
  7. Power of My Love
  8. Gentle On My Mind
  9. After Loving You
  10. True Love Travels On a Gravel Road
  11. Any Day Now
  12. In the Ghetto
  13. Suspicious Minds
  14. Don't Cry Daddy
  15. Kentucky Rain
  16. Mama Liked the Roses