Had It Harder

I live in a city

That pretends the world is pretty

I live in a good neighbourhood

I can talk to strangers

Traffic wardens are the biggest danger

This is where I spent my childhood

If I'd lived in a boxcar

If my face could boast a scar

If I didn't sleep in double beds

If I'd had it harder

Maybe I'd be prouder

If I'd had it harder from the start

I spend my time singing

And my liberal upbringing

Lets me believe that this is time well spent

I articulate my views

And I listen to the blues

And forget that I cannot know what they meant

If I'd had it tougher

My accent would be rougher

And my lyrics would have other tales to tell

If I'd had it harder

Maybe I'd sing louder

If I'd had it harder from the start

And the war lives on TV

And the drought lives on TV

And I switch off the TV

When it gets too much for me

And I'll never be a soldier

And I don't live on a border

And I got my life in order

Like in sitcoms on TV

I live in a city

That pretends the world is pretty

I live in a good neighbourhood

If I'd only had to fight

For my civil rights

Or at least if I could be misunderstood

No, I'm not complaining

That I've got no one to blame

And nothing to blame on anyone

But if I'd had it harder

Maybe I'd be prouder

If I'd had it harder from the start