Hush, little baby, don't you cry
Please don't mind the screaming
From the man in the alley, on the small of his back
The police man's knee is kneeling
I'll tell you an open secret, child
Not everyone is knowing
But if that little man ever left this place
You and I would soon be going
'Cause that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
Yeah, that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
Your mama ain't rich, she's a music man
Your daddy, he's a painter
We took over the lease of this old house
From them whose hearts were fainter
'Cause we don't mind the painted ladies
With their weeping sores all swollen
And we don't mind that everyone we know
Has had their stereo stolen
'Cause that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
Yeah, that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
♪
One fine morning you wake up to
Bulldozers and renovation
'Cause folks like your mom and dad are just
Shock troops of gentrification
For the single young professionals
Who find the neighborhood hip and charming
But if they knew about the lady who got chopped up in the alley
They'd probably find it alarming
And that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down, baby
And that's what keeps the rent down low