Philadelphia Boy - David Ford

Across the old Delaware I fell apart

In the city of brotherly love

And the winter bit hard through the holes in my jacket

And my thoughts lean toward giving up

See, I’ve been a wanderer and it’s been some time

Since I’ve found somewhere I could belong

‘Til a cold wind on Walnut Street whistled in the trees

And it sounded to me like a song

Said: «when you’re down and you’re out

And don’t remember the feeling of joy

You can lean on me, brother

I won’t let you fall

Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy

Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy»

I took a walk through the city

I bumped shoulders with strangers

The sinners, the saints and the thieves

I looked in faces befitting a cynical age

But we so desperately want to believe

And when I needed a doctor and a brother and a friend

Turn out I wasn’t so far from my home

‘Cause sweet Philadelphia opened her arms

Took me in like I was one of her own

Said: «when you’re down and you’re out

And don’t remember the feeling of joy

You can lean on me, brother

I won’t let you fall

Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy

Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy»

Just a rounder in need of a home

And a brother who won’t let me go

Benny Franklin’s an old friend you know

It’s not just some face on a hundred dollar bill

He’s my old Philadelphia boy

Oh Lord, he’s a good old Philadelphia boy

No I wasn’t raised Christian

Oh but I was raised good

I never looked to no heavens above

But my wretched old soul is in safe hands tonight

In the city of brotherly love

So I’ll be out for a slice at Lorenzo’s tonight

With a poker chip tight in my hand

If you need a ride I’ll be parked right outside

If you need a brother — well I’m your man

‘Cause when you’re down and you’re out

And don’t remember the feeling of joy

You can lean on me, brother

I won’t let you fall

Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy

Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy

Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy