Listen all you New Yorkers there's a rumour going around
That some of you good people want to leave this town
But you better consult with me before you go
(Why?)
Cause I've been in all these places and I know
(Chicago?) Chicago's all right
It's got the Wrigley Field and Soldier's Field and Marshall Field
And it's on a nice lake
But it hasn't got the hansoms in the park
It hasn't got a skyline after dark
That's why New York's my home
Never let me leave it
New York's my home, sweet home
(What about Hollywood?)
Hollywood's got movie stars and movie czars and cocktail bars and
Shiny cars and a wonderful climate, they say
But it hasn't got the handy subway train
You seldom find a taxi when it rains
That's why New York's my home
Keep your California
New York's my home, sweet home
(Geez, what's happening in St. Louis?)
Lots of people like St. Louis it's got lots of shoes
And the St. Louis blues and one of our larger rivers runs by
But it hasn't got the opera in The Met
It hasn't got a famous string quartet
That's why New York's my home
Not a place to visit
New York's my home, sweet home
(San Francisco?)
San Francisco is a lovely place
It's got lots of hills and lots of thrills and it's
On an ocean of some size
But it hasn't got the Bowery or The Bronx
It hasn't got the Harlem honkytonks
That's why New York's my home
It's my favorite city
New York's my home, sweet home
So, save your time and trouble
I say save your railroad fare
I said save your time and trouble, brother
Yeah, save your railroad fare
Aah, cause when you leave New York
Yeah, let me say, you ain't going nowhere