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