It’s Hard to Be a Saint in the City (Demo) Bruce Springsteen

[Verse 1]
Well, I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra
I was born blue and weathered, but I burst just like a supernova
Well, I walked like Brando right into the sun
And danced just like a Casanova
Well, with my blackjack and jacket and hair slicked sweet
Silver-star studs on my duds like a Harley in heat
When I bop down the street, I could hear its heartbeat

[Chorus]
And all the women fell back and said, "Don't that man look pretty?"
The cripple on the corner cries, "Nickels for your pity"
And the gasoline boys downtown, they sure talk gritty
It's so hard to be a saint in the city

[Verse 2]
Well, I was the king of the alley, I could talk trash
I was the prince of the paupers crowned downtown at the beggar's bash
I was the pimp's main prophet, I kept everything cool
Just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose
And when the heat came down, it was left on the ground

[Chorus]
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street
Showing me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat
I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat
It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy out on the street