Here's where it all began

Here's where I heard that beat

Here's where I tapped that tap

With my natural rhythm feet

In my simple humble neighborhood

On my simple humble street



Here's where the dreams I had

Were crowded on a stoop

Were pecked and pushed and hustled

Just like chickens in a coop

Life wasn't always neat

In my simple humble neighborhood

On my simple humble street



Here's where I learned the rules

Of Rosie's way

Of how to play

A magic game

That changed the same

Old sheepy bleat

In my simple humble neighborhood

On my simple humble street



Here's where I made up folks

Who came to visit me

Not just ordinary folks

Coming unexpectedly



TALENT SCOUTS! PRODUCERS! DIRECTORS!

GLAMOUR BOYS!



In other words

THE HOY-POLOYS!

THE GRAND ELITE!



To make them green with envy

In my simple humble neighborhood

On my simple humble street



Here's where it all began

Here's where I heard that tune

Here's where I sang of sailing

In a carnival balloon

Life was so darn sweet

In my simple humble neighborhood

On my simple humble street