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