THE STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY
adapted from "The Streets of London" by Ralph McTell (© 1970 Essex Music Intl TRO)
New Words By Mel Tanzman and Maura Gregory
(Used with permission)

Vocals: Eric Levine, Sally Campbell, Michael Imperiale, Marcia Bernstein, Mel Tanzman
Guitar: Maura Gregory
12-string guitar: Eric Levine
Recorder: Sidney Emerman

Taken from the popular song, Mel Tanzman and Maura Gregory of the DIA singers paint a picture of loneliness and desperation in all 5 boroughs of our city.

Have you seen the young man outside the closed Queens factory
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shows?
In his eyes you see no pride, and held loosely at his side
Is yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news

CHORUS:
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of New York City
I'll show you somethin' to make you change your mind

Have you seen the woman who walks the streets of Brooklyn
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talkin', she keeps right on a-walkin'
Carryin' her home in two black plastic bags

CHORUS:
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of New York City
I'll show you somethin' to make you change your mind

In the all-night Burger King at a quarter past eleven
Sits an old man, there on his own
Looking at Manhattan over the rim of his coffee cup
Each cup lasts an hour. He wanders home alone.

CHORUS:
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of New York City
I'll show you somethin' to make you change your mind

Have you seen the woman on the Staten Island ferry
Staring out the window at the water below?
Last time that her lover beat her
She left, swore no one'd mistreat her
But now she's out of money, and nowhere else to go

CHORUS:
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of New York City
I'll show you somethin' to make you change your mind

Have you seen the veteran outside the Bronx VA Hospital
Sitting in his fatigues in a beat up wheelchair?
Still suffering from the scars of war
But they won't help him anymore
One more broken promise from a government that doesn't care

CHORUS:
So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of New York City
I'll show you somethin' to make you change your mind