Clerks at the hotels don't take a chance Rooms for three dollars pay in advance Sleep on a mattress, you might get a sheet But you'd be surprised at the people you meet Telling their tales of trouble and woe 'Bout how they got down here to skid row Minnie the moocher begging for dimes Her life has fallen on difficult times She was a teacher, got strung out on crack Went out so far 'til she never got back When she started teaching, she didn't know