American Jerusalem Lyrics

Lyric discussion by AzRunner 

Cover art for American Jerusalem lyrics by Shawn Colvin

The American Jerusalem, NYC is being compared to the temples at the time of Jesus where commerce was taking place on the temple steps. In NYC the pretty people see the homeless and the drunks and their first thought is how do they afford to buy the drugs. Cynically, the singer suggests that you just go about your business as usual and do your best to ignore what you see in front of you.