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