I think I hear a cry in the distance
Too much going on around me, I can't hear
Soft and low like a ship's warning sound
But when I stop a moment it's no longer there

There's and old man on the corner, his clothes are tattered
Rubs a yellow beard and politely asks for gold
He's got a crease above his eyes from years of bedless nights
He's awfully worn out for someone thirty-nine years old
He's only thirty-nine years old

If you look closely, there is a young man underneath
And if you listen, you'll hear crying in the streets
But nobody has the time to answer If anyone even hears the call ...

There's a lonely old lady at the counter in my coffee shop
I serve her coffee every day of every week of every year
She holds her cup just like it was china
And talks about her children even when there's no one there
Her husband died back in 1967
And her children up and grew and went upon their ways
Her son's a doctor out in Buffalo
And her daughter gets a letter almost every single day
Writing helps to pass the time away

If you look closely, you will see the ink has run
And if you listen, she is calling anyone
But nobody has the time to answer If anyone even hears at all ...

I think I heard a cry in the distance
If you listen closely you might hear
A sound so small you might pass it over
But if you pay attention it rings loud and clear
Someone is calling to you