Find yourself in the gutter in a lonely part of town

  where death waits in the darkness with a weapon to cut some stranger down

  sleeping with an empty bottle, he's a sad and an empty hearted man

  all he needs is a job, and a little respect, so he can get out while he can

  

  We always need to hear both sides of the story

  

  neighbourhood peace is shattered it's the middle of the night

  young faces hide in the shadows, while they watch their mother and father fight

  he says she's been unfaithful, she says her love for him has gone

  and the brother [bad word] to his sister and says "looks like it's just us from now on"

  

  We always need to hear both sides of the story

  

  And the lights are all on, the world is watching now

  people looking for [bad word]  we must not fail them now

  be sure, before we close our eyes

  don't walk away from here

  'til you hear both sides

  

  Here we are all gathered in what seems to be the centre of the storm

  neighbours once friendly now stand each side of the line that has been drawn

  they've been fighting here for years, but now there's killing on the streets

  while small coffins are lined up sadly, now united in defeat

  

  We always need to hear both sides of the story

  

  And the lights are all on, the world is watching now

  people looking for [bad word]  we must not fail them now

  be sure, before we close our eyes

  don't walk away from here

  'til you see both sides

  

  White man turns the corner, finds himself within a different world

  ghetto kid grabs his shoulder, throws him up against the wall

  he says "would you respect me if I didn't have this gun

  'cos without it, I don't get it, and that's why I carry one"

  

  We always need to hear both sides of the story