Zen Koans Gonna Rise Again Dave Van Ronk

In the alleys and doorways of old Greenwich Village
You can see the lames walking the streets up and down
From your tenement top you can drop down your garbage
And a Clyde or a cop will fall dead to the ground

You'll see bodies a-burning and faces on fire
Wearing death on their backs like a John wears a coat
For this is Satori, the end of desire
To O.D. in the gutter with a cure in your throat

Some are in slams and some are still scuffling
With nothing to keep but a twenty-cent jones
Jiving and boosting while their chicks are out hustling
While the ache in their veins whispers death to their bones

In the alleys and doorways of old Greenwich Village
You can see the lames walking the streets up and down
From your tenement top you can drop down your garbage
And a Clyde or a cop will fall dead to the ground