It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City Lyrics - David Bowie

1 I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra

2 I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova

3 I could walk like Brando right into the sun and dance just like a Casanova

4 With my blackjack and jacket and my hair slicked sweet

5 Silver studs on my duds just like a Harley in heat

6 When I strut down the street I could hear its heartbeat

7 The sisters fell back and said, "Don't that man look pretty"

8 The cripple on the corner cried out, "Penny, nickels for your pity"

9 Them gasoline boys downtown, they sure talk gritty

10 It's so hard to be a saint in the city

11 I was a king of the alley, mama, I could talk some trash

12 I was a prince of the paupers, crowned downtown at the Beggars' Bash

13 I was a pimp's main prophet, I kept everything cool

14 Just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose

15 And when the heat came down it was left on the ground, mama

16 Devil appeared to me like Jesus through the steam in the street

17 And showed me a hand that even the cops couldn't beat

18 And I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat

19 It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy out on the street

20 And the sages of the subway sit just like the living dead

21 As the tracks clack out the rhythm, the eyes fixed straight ahead

22 They ride the line of balancing, hold on by just a thread

23 Well, it's too hot in these tunnels, you can get hit up by the heat

24 When you get up to get out at your next stop, but they push you back down in your seat

25 And your heart starts beating faster as you struggle to your feet

26 Then you're out of that hole, back on the street

27 And them southside sisters, they sure look pretty

28 And the cripple on the corner cries out, "Nickels for your pity"

29 And them downtown boys, they sure talk gritty

30 It's so hard to be a saint in the city