There's a rumor going around
That some of you good people
Want to leave this town

But you better consult me before you go
(Why?)
'Cause I've been in all these places
And I know

(Chicago) Chicago's all right
It's got the Wrigley Field and
Soldier's Field and Marshall Field
And it's on a nice lake

But it hasn't got
The hansoms in the park
It hasn't got a skyline after dark

That's why New York's my home
Never let me leave it
New York's my home, sweet home

(What about Hollywood)
Hollywood's got movie stars and
Movie czars and cocktail bars and
Shiny cars and a wonderful climate, they say

But it hasn't got
The handy subway train
You seldom find a taxi
When it rains

That's why New York's my home
Keep your California
New York's my home, sweet home

(Geez, what's happening in St.Louis)
Lots of people like St.Louis
It's got lots of shoes
And the St.Louis blues and
One of our larger rivers runs by

But it hasn't got the opera in The Met
It hasn't got a famous string quartet

That's why New York's my home
No, not a place to visit
New York's my home, sweet home

(San Francisco)
San Francisco is a lovely place
It's got lots of hills
And lots of thrills and it's
On an ocean of some size

But it hasn't got
The Bowery or The Bronx
It hasn't got the Harlem honkytonks

That's why New York's my home
Yeah, it's my favorite city
New York's my home, sweet home

So, save your time and trouble
I say save your railroad fare
I said save your time and trouble, brother
Save your railroad fare

Cause when you leave New York
Let me say, you ain't going nowhere