it roars like a lion the sound of the streets rats in the alleyway, LAPD on the beat life in the sewers living hell go ask the junkie going blue at the alexandria hotel chorus: down down down in the city! down down down in the city! the prostitute she strolls on broadway in the eyes of the killer she the oncoming prey knock on her door, welcome the virus its HIV, herpes and hepatitis chorus forgotten faces and forgotten names another poor bastard pleading for change the crack pipes light up like a candle vigilance the angels cry down on the streets of los angeles chorus