[Intro — spoken, city ambience] Rain on the pavement... Blue lights in the distance... Everybody's going somewhere. Some people just don't have anywhere to go. [Verse 1] There's a man beneath the overpass, Army jacket, sleeping on the concrete, Keeps one old photograph Folded underneath his sleeve. He says he knew a woman once, Says they fought in the same war, I couldn't tell if he meant beside her Or against her anymore. [Pre-Chorus] He looks up when the sirens pass, Like they're calling out his name, Some ghosts wear faces, Some ghosts just look the same. [Chorus] God only knows... What happens underneath these city lights, God only knows... How many people disappear every night. There's a woman on the corner Standing underneath the red, And every stranger leaves her A little less alive than when they met. God only knows... God only knows. [Verse 2] Down the block a mother waits Outside a soup kitchen door, Three kids wrapped around her legs, She says, "Baby, just a little more." She gives her meal to the youngest, Says she's not that hungry anyway, Then smiles like everything is fine And watches her children eat. [Verse 3] There's a needle in an alley, A lighter in a shaking hand, Someone trying to disappear From a life they couldn't stand. The city keeps on moving, Nobody looks too long, Another train beneath the pavement, Another siren singing its song. [Chorus] God only knows... What happens underneath these city lights, God only knows... How many people lose themselves at night. There's a woman on the corner And the neon paints her face, She watches every car go by Like she's waiting for escape. God only knows... God only knows. [Bridge — half spoken / half sung] Maybe she knew that soldier. Maybe she was there that night. Maybe they fought for the same side. Maybe neither one was right. Maybe that's why he still looks down Every time she walks by. Maybe she doesn't know him. Maybe she does... God only knows why. [Final Chorus — building] God only knows... How many wars are fought inside, God only knows... How many people learn to hide. The mother, the soldier, The woman underneath the sign, The junkie in the doorway Trying to borrow one more night. We're all somebody's children, We're all one breath from the edge, And the city doesn't ask your story Before it takes another step. [Outro — female harmony, almost whispered] God only knows... God only knows... [Male — spoken] Maybe the question isn't Why they ended up there... Maybe it's why Nobody stopped to care. [Female whisper] God only knows...
