So cold and wet in the city He washes car windows in the night Tryin' to make a little change From the cars as they wait for the light People show such hostility They tell him to go find some work To them it's all some kind of joke But his eyes show how much jokes can hurt He tells them: you don't understand, but this is my job I may have nothing, I refuse to steal and rob I never imagined this could happen in my life But it has, and I'm tryin' to survive Walk around after midnight There's a whole population on the street Cardboard box for a pillow And the steam from the grating for heat Sometimes it is so overwhelming
It can wear down your sympathy But then you see someone holding on To a small piece of his dignity Saying: you don't understand, but this is my job I may have nothing, I refuse to steal and rob I never imagined this could happen in my life But it has, and I'm tryin' to survive (guitar solo) You don't understand, but this is my job I may have nothing, I refuse to steal and rob I never imagined this could happen in my life But it has, and I'm tryin' to survive Tryin' to survive, Lord Tryin' to survive Just tryin' to stay alive This is my job This is my job I refuse to steal and rob So washing car windows is my job