Babe they say that this world is better than the last
I wouldn't know - I have no way of living in the past
Where once there was a garden the streets have overflowed
From the Golden Gates to the East Block states
You can hear creation groan

If there is a shining beacon out across the amber waves
It lies hidden on the teeming shores beneath the burned-out Chevrolets
And the eyes that scattered high-rise hope across the fruited plains
See tv's glowing in the projects through the greasy windowpanes

Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a long way to fall
Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a big world after all

The purple mountains' majesty has ratings that are poor
History bows to coverage, moderation bows to more
The far side of the ocean is the far side of the tracks
All God's children learn to build and learn to watch their backs

There are felons out in the prison yard imagining their release
And the free thank God for the atom bomb, the keeper of the peace
Another day, another chance to curse away the doubt
Another night, another thousand points of light go out

Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a long way to fall
Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a big world after all

Hypnotized and shuttled in the limousine of hate
Watching the scenery shatter in the brittle jaws of fate
Well baby, I'm just another fare
I don't make the rules
I'd break them if I thought it would do you some good

The diggers and the bankers and the architects and fools
Got to work and you can't stop them with bitter tears or golden rules
It's a race to stay alive, baby, it's lawyers tax and steel
'Til the life that you are living is the thing you never feel

Babe they say that this world is better than the last
I wouldn't know, I have no way of living in the past
Where once there was a garden the streets have overflowed
From the Golden Gate to the East Block states
You can hear creation groan

Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a long way to fall
Baby it's a long way down
Baby it's a big world after all