[Verse 1] This is a terrible city The people are cattle and swine There isn't a girl I'd call pretty Or a friend that I'd call mine And the only decent place on earth Is the town that gave me birth You can keep your Athens You can keep your Rome I'm a hometown fellow And I pine for home [Chorus] I want to go back, go back To dear old Syracuse [Verse 2] Though I've worn out sandals And my funds are low There's a light that's burning in the patio [Chorus] [Verse 4] It is no metropolis It has no big Acropolis And yet there is a quorum Of cuties in the forum Though the boys wear tunics that are out of style They will always greet me with a friendly smile [Chorus] I want to go back, go back To dear old Syracuse [Verse 5] Both the Nile and Danube Are a silly bore I've a hometown river That assaults my door [Chorus] [Verse 6] When a man is lonely It is good to know There's a red light burning in the patio [Chorus] [Verse 7] Wives don't want divorces there The men are strong as horses there And should a man philander The goose forgives the gander When the search for love becomes a mania You can take the night boat to Albania [Chorus]