[Verse 1]
Hush little baby don't you cry
Please don't mind the screaming
Of the man in the alley on the small of his back
The police man's knee is kneelin'
I'll tell you an open secret, child
Not everyone is knowin'
If that little man ever left this place
You and I would soon be goin

[Chorus]
'Cause that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down baby
That's what keeps the rent down low

[Verse 2]
Your daddy ain't rich, he's a music man
Your mother she's a painter
We took over the lease of this old house
From those whose hearts are fainter
'Cause we don't mind the painted ladies
With their weeping souls all swollen
We don't mind that everyone we know
Has had their stereo stolen

[Chorus]
'Cause that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down baby
That's what keeps the rent down low

[Verse 3]
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 heard about the lady who got chopped up in the alley
They'd probably find it alarming

[Chorus]
'Cause that's what keeps the rent down, baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down baby
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down low
That's what keeps the rent down low