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