Concrete Times Lyrics - Down By Law

I remember a time when there was nothing but trees and green grass 

Now I look around in concrete times and stay behind the glass 

Crowds of people but I'm all alone staring at the bill for the telephone 

Sometimes I miss those days when the world was green and growing 

But there's too many people now, too mean and too knowing 

They say you've got to be hard in a hard world 

Say goodbye to suburban boys 'cause urban joy is hard to find 

What you gonna do? It's all around you 

Sounds of the street start to surround you 

What you gonna do in concrete times? 

Now I know these memories are just my naivety 

And I know that boyhood's gone and this is where you stay 

But so much has changed that I can see 

Now I hear sirens and turn up the TV 

I remember knowing every house and every name on our street 

Now I don't even know our next door neighbors 

Just the sound of their feet 

'Cause your eyes are more open the older you get 

But the wide eyes of childhood are gone forever, you see more and less 

And school plays have been replaced 

And too many friends have joined the race 

The newspaper brings sad news through my door 

Acceptance and gritted teeth when you walk outside at night 

Guns and knives replaced the schoolyard fight 

And the street lights blinking on and on keep me up for hours 

Along with my thoughts in a pretty concrete tower