Chaotic crescendo builds on desolate stage as the players sing their sin Classical orchestrated crying as no one ever loses or wins Percussion gunshots boom bass through cities where air is thin The ghetto symphony begins Mothers shouting to "bad" kids making clanging symbals break Ailing elders create winded sighs as their last breath they take Teenage heartbeats strum acoustics while passionate love they make Man-made chemicals induce rhapsody as syringes numb old aches The harmony of concrete meeting roses plays a tragic song There is the rhythm of happy children's feet who somehow don't belong The ghetto symphony sounds on Alcoholic melodies drown grown men's frustration Broadcasters string cacophonies of the "hood's" desolation Political conductors excusing social obligation Gentle tipping, tapping direction would stop community obliteration A treble cleff of despair pervades a starless sky As a pervert steals a young girl's notes And a younger boy gets high Educators, a bit off key and in a foreign meter, teach To inner-city children who our forefathers didn't reach Musicians ignore angelic instruction that the divine Composer sends Instruments lack purpose The ghetto symphony ends