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

both sides of the story

A 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 shrugs 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 truth,

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 truth,

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

both sides of the story