Manhattan Transfer Metropolis Lyrics

Once there was light, perfectly white, far as the eye could wander
Once there was time, morning and night
Once there was sky, over yonder

The day begins, metropolis lies sleeping like a drunken soldier
Behind the wheel you come alive and down into its heart you motor
Atop the rise, metropolis, defender of the high and mighty
At every turn the homeless wait, reminding you of all that might be

Hurry now, there is somebody there to meet you
Office girls sweet and innocent poised to greet you
Through the glass fifty stories below you
There's a place I've been meaning to show you
Full of sights that are certain to blow you away

Beneath the haze, metropolis awakens with a hiss and rumble
You'll hear a knock, don't hesitate, they mustn't ever see you stumble You'll never last down on the street, where staying on your toes ain't ballet
It's getting by or getting beat, from curtain to the grand finale

In the air there is music and sounds of laughter
For the moment it's happily ever after
Through the glass fifty stories below you
In the shadows where nobody knows you
There's a stranger who's dying to show you the way

Now entering metropolis, creation of a world gone crazy
The alleyway, the resting place, still echo from the souls trapped under
You lock the doors, step on the gas and push until it goes no faster
You close your eyes and leave behind, metropolis lord and master