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