They grew up on the side of town where the christmas lights hung all year 'round
and the sidewalks went unshoveled
and the dogs barked all night long
They were skinny and they were mean
had parents that were never seen
their hair was always longer
their shirts were always tight
And we knew we'd never get to know 'em
and we knew we'd never try
those east side boys seemed further from us
than any star that hung up in the sky
Those east side boys never seemed to eat
they just smoked cigarettes across the street
stared down at the sidewalks
came to classes late
On conference days it was always the same
those east side parents never came
never read their stories
saw their artwork on the walls
Once we'd hit the high school
around grade nine or ten
one by one they'd disappear
and we'd never see those east side boys again
They grew up on the side of town where the christmas lights hung all year 'round
and the sidewalks went unshoveled
and the dogs barked all night long
No one seemed to know their names
they didn't go to prom or football games
just wandered through the hallways like inmates doin' time
And we knew we'd never get to know 'em
and we knew we'd never try
those east side boys seemed further from us
than any star that hung up in the sky
East side boys… (5x)