We didn't have nowhere to live

We didn't have nowhere to go

'Til someone said

"I know this place off Burditt Road" It was on the fifteenth floor

It had a board across the door

It took an hour to prise it off

And get inside It smelt as if someone had died

The living room was full of flies

The kitchen sink was blocked

The bathroom sink not there at all Ooh, it's a mess alright

Yes it's, Mile End And now we're living in the sky

I never thought I'd live so high

Just like Heaven

If it didn't look like Hell The lift is always full of piss

The fifth floor landing smells of fish

Not just on Friday

Every single other day Below the kids come out tonight

They kick a ball and have a fight

And maybe shoot somebody

If they lose at pool Ooh, it's a mess alright

Yes it's, Mile End Nobody wants to be your friend

'Cause you're not from 'round here, ooh

As if that was

Something to be proud about The Pearly King of the Isle of Dogs

Feels up children in the bogs

Down by the playing fields

Someone sets a car on fire I guess you have to go right down

Before you understand just how

How low

How low a human being can go Ooh, it's a mess alright

Yes it's, Mile End