the levi's that i'm wearing have been good to me
they just won't admit they're growing old
though my shirt's made contact with the gutter
at least it keeps my body from the cold
thank god the folks back home in harlan county
can't see what success has done to me
would you believe the kids in harlan high school
they voted me most likely to succeed
and i'm walking on
the sidewalks of chicago
if i buy the bread i can't afford my wine
i'm walking on the sidewalk of chicago
wishing i had lived some other time
i wasn't here too long
before i met her
and the lady really swept me off my feet
she stayed just long enough to make me love her
now they're picking me up off the street
my mama thinks i've really hit the big time
she's written every day
that i'm in trouble with her



and gone
but she doesn't know that 109 west charlotte
is the address of the west side mission home
and i'm walking on the sidewalks of chicago
if i buy the bread i can't afford my wine
i'm walking on the sidewalk of chicago
wishing i had lived some other time