i was born in new york city on a monday it seems i was out shinin shoes bout tuesday noon all the bad cats in the bad hats doing me a real big favor the bad cats in the bad hats playing it on real good here s a dime boy give me a shine boy when the cold wind blows it lives in new york city the street s no place to be but there you are so you try hard or you die hard no one really gives a good damn you try hard or you die hard no one gives a damn here s a dime boy give me a shine boy you re down and out in new york city ain t no place to be but where can you go down and out new york city never never never never gonna get this way again gonna get myself together in the mornin leave it all and one bad dream all the bad cats in the bad hats doing me a real big favor the bad cats in the bad hats playing it on real good here s a dime boy give me a shine boy down and out in new york city ain t no place to be where can you go when you re down and out new york city ohh time i want you down to go need a friend where can you go down and out new york city never never never gonna get this way again