The Jumper by Sparky Kronkite

[Sparky Kronkite]

Hey all, true story - this thing about an acquaintance of mine who took his life recently - spurned me, while riding the subway last evening - to pen this thing down. Lyrics, a Tom Petty, Springsteen like song. Here goes -
This friend of mine's a jumper
This city did him in
No note to tell his mother
No tellin' next of kin
And when he laid down upon those cold tracks
He wore a contented grin
This friend of mine's a jumper
And this city did him in

Well his son's name was my name too
Amazing as it seems
I hope his son remains proud
And sees his dad in happy dreams
It's so sad that it ended like this
I feel such sorrow deep within
This friend of mine's a jumper
And this city did him in

Yes, it's hard out on that hot sidewalk
It sucks your soul from deep down in
You gotta talk the talk if yer gonna make it here
In this Mecca of easy sin
Up here north ain't like no cat
On no hot roof made of tin
This friend of mine's a jumper
And this city did him in

If you can make it here you'll make it anywhere
I hear Old Blue Eyes sing that refrain
But I know you'd better watch your step
And don't go hobblin' with no damn cane
And if I lay me down upon those cold tracks
You know I'll wear a contented grin
Just like my friend the jumper
That this city did him in

Just like my friend the jumper
That this city did him in