I grew from tree-lined streets and avenues, While viewing Cronkite’s nightly news. As decades passed, our flag’s half-mast Got lowered down as years rolled past. Oh, City of Lost Angeles, What happened to your song? The streets that once held dreams and hopes Now ask where we went wrong.
CHORUS — THE SIGNATURE HOOK
Oh, City of Lost Angeles, Ye now have broken wing! You’ve lost thy choice of voice, And forgotten how to sing. Oh, City of Lost Angeles, Can ye hear the bells still ring? A city without hopes to voice Shall loose its right to sing.
VERSE 2 — THE DIVISION
What once was seen as clean and green Took left-hand turn to burn our dreams. From Paradise to Palisades, Their bellowed smoke brought hazy days. They marched in streets and scorch the tires, While news fed flames for public’s fires. With flags held high but faces masked, We’re left to question what to ask. Think of how disguise and lies Can slip between the cracks; While truth gets lost in smoke and noise, And Bass just turns her back.
CHORUS
Oh, City of Lost Angeles, Can ye hear the bells still ring? A city without hopes to voice Shall loose its right to sing. Oh, City of the Angels, Can ye hear the bells still ring? As city filled with homeless folks Become the joke from selling dope.
VERSE 3 — THE PRICE OF DIVISION
No marching, scorching, carrying torches Can’t make a broken promise whole. Nor can poking, provoking, smokey choking Breath life back in ye soul. The forebears of this great country Came from many lands across the seas, And invested many lifetimes In the freedoms we now see. Yet when truth is bent then sold, And fear becomes the story told, The weakest links divide the chain, And every loss compounds the pain.
VERSE 4 — THE TURNING POINT
And who shall judge when smoke has cleared, When all those trusted disappears? Who counts the cost of words and deeds, When theft just grows beyond the needs? The tragedy that grips the mind May blind the eyes that seek to find The truth we claim could set us free, Yet truth demands to look at thee. Step back from jacked and knives in back, From half-baked clues and claims of facts. For strength of steel shall have appeal, But betray of trust just turns to rust.
BRIDGE — STRIPPED BACK TO VOICE AND GUITAR
Dust to dust, and rust to steel, How much truths in what we feel? When pride takes flight and hearts divide, What truth remains or runs hides? Our God above shall not divide His love by tribe or party’s side. And when we stand before the light, We’ll have to choose from wrong or right?
FINAL CHORUS — EMOTIONAL PEAK
Oh, City of Lost Angeles, Ye now have broken wing! You’ve lost thy voice for choice, And forgotten how to sing. Oh, City of the Angels, Can ye hear the bells still ring? As city filled with homeless folks Become the joke from selling dope.
OUTRO — ONE VOICE, ONE GUITAR
Oh, City of Lost Angeles…Can ye find thy song again?
