Dan Gonzalez: Music
Corner Store
(copyright 2003 Dan Gonzalez)
We used to meet at the store on the corner
I'd ride my bike with the neighbor kids
I'd spend my change on a drink from the cooler
While my friends stole beer and tobacco tins
And ran out laughing
The corner store was easy prey
For those who wanted it to be that way
When we grew up we'd meet for poker
We'd smoke cigars and count our chips
I'd spend my change on kings and jokers
While my friends talked trash about the immigrants
And their broken English
The corner store was easy prey
For those who wanted it to be that way
What could I do
What could say
I sat so quietly
Minding my own business
Cause I protest silently
But silence makes no difference
To anyone but me
There's a brand new store on the corner
With neon signs and check-out lines
My friends are pleased to know the owners
Their good old boys with local ties
Content to gentrify
The corner store was easy prey
For those who wanted it to be that way