Elvis Presley

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)

[Bridge]
People, don't you understand
A 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?

[Verse 2]
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)
[Bridge]
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun, he steals a car
Tries to run, but he don't get far

[Verse 3]
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
Facedown 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)

[Outro]
And his mama cries
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)
(In the ghetto)

In the Ghetto is a poignant musical masterpiece that delves deep into the themes of poverty, violence, and hopelessness. The song was originally released in 1969 by the legendary Elvis Presley, and it quickly became a classic that resonates with many to this day.

About In the Ghetto

The song In the Ghetto tells the story of a young boy who grows up in the ghetto of Chicago, where life is a constant struggle to survive. Elvis Presley's powerful voice and emotive lyrics capture the essence of the poverty cycle that affects so many people around the world.

The lyrics of In the Ghetto paint a vivid picture of the harsh realities of life in the ghetto, with lines like "As the snow flies, on a cold and grey Chicago mornin', a poor little baby child is born in the ghetto" highlighting the despair and helplessness that can come with living in such dire conditions.

Despite the bleakness of the subject matter, the song also has a strong message of hope and a call to action. In one part of the song, Elvis Presley urges listeners to take action and not look the other way: "And his mama cries, cause if there's one thing that she don't need, it's another hungry mouth to feed in the ghetto."

He sings about the anger and frustration that can come from feeling trapped in poverty, noting that without help, the young boy "will grow to be an angry young man someday." The song serves as a wake-up call to society to help break the cycle of poverty and violence so commonly faced in underprivileged communities.

The bookends structure of the song is particularly powerful, with the baby being born at the beginning of the song and the young man dying at the end, implying that the baby is fated to live the same life of poverty and violence.

The song has resonated with many over the decades, especially now when issues of poverty and inequality are still prevalent in society. It showcases Elvis Presley's ability to connect with listeners through his emotive performances and meaningful lyrics.

Overall, In the Ghetto is a must-listen for anyone looking for a powerful message of hope and a call to action to make the world a better place for those living in poverty. It serves as a reminder that even during the most challenging times, we all have the power to make a difference and help break the cycle of poverty and violence.

• Release Date: April 14, 1969
• Artist: Elvis Presley