I learned life were no dream I learned truth deceived Man is not God Life is a century Death an instant

Ah, if I were dictator I'd have poets throwing bombs!

I moved up over Lower East Side and I was adopted by eight foster parents; I lived all over New York City with these parents, man, till I was about ten years old.

They, that unnamed they, they've knocked me down but I got up. I always get up -- and I swear when I went down quite often I took the fall; nothing moves a mountain but itself. They, I've long ago named them me.

But when the conquered spirit breaks free And indicates a new light Who'll take care of the cats?

I remember the people I knew in prison; I was very fortunate to know them - they came from 1910, 1920, 1930.

Anyway, I lived on the streets and did pretty good until I got caught stealing, what was it? I kicked in a restaurant window, went in and took all the food that I wanted, and while coming out I was grabbed.