East Side Boys

Martin Zellar

They grew up on the side of town Where the Christmas lights hung all year 'round

And the sidewalks went unshoveled

And the dogs barked all night long



They were skinny and they were mean

Had parents that were never seen

Their hair was always longer

Their shirts were always tight



And we knew we'd never get to know 'em

And we knew we'd never try

Those East Side Boys seemed further from us

Than any star that hung up in the sky



Those East Side Boys never seemed to eat

They just smoked cigarettes across the street

Stared down at the sidewalks

Came to classes late



On conference days it was always the same

Those east side parents never came

Never read their stories

Saw their artwork on the walls



Once we'd hit the high school

Around grade nine or ten

One by one they'd disappear

And we'd never see those East Side boys again



They grew up on the side of town Where the Christmas lights hung all year 'round

And the sidewalks went unshoveled

And the dogs barked all night long



No one seemed to know their names

They didn't go to Prom or football games

Just wandered through the hallways Like inmates doin' time



And we knew we'd never get to know 'em

And we knew we'd never try

Those East Side Boys seemed further from us

Than any star that hung up in the sky



East Side Boys… (5X)