MY CITY OF RUINS

a.k.a. CITY OF RUINS

17-18 Dec 2000 version

There's a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church doors blown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone

My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Now the sweet veils of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves
The bordered up windows
The hustlers and thieves
While my brother's down on his knees

My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!

Now there's tears on the pillow
Darling where we slept
And you took my heart when you left
Without your sweet kiss
My soul is lost, my friend
Now tell me how do I begin again?

My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins

Now with these hands
With these hands
With these hands
I pray Lord
I pray Lord
I pray Lord
With these hands
Give me strength Lord
With these hands
Give me  faith Lord
With these hands
I pray Lord
With these hands
Give me strength Lord
With these hands
Give me faith Lord
With these hands

Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Come on rise up!
Rise up

Written especially for the 2000 Asbury Park Christmas show benefit to help promote the revitalization of Asbury Park. Note the forceful, powerful refrain of "Come on, rise up!"

These lyrics refer to the first 2 performances of this song: 17-18 Dec 2000 at the Convention Hall shows, Asbury Park, NJ. Check also studio version and the 21 Sep 2001 version.