James Brown — Down and Out in New York City

[Intro] Say brother, can I borrow a thin, brother You know, a dime? Say, say, say, sis Sure would like to some dimes for me So I can get this cup of coffee Cop me a snack or something I guess I better quit trying to be hip and get on down Hey man, like, you know.... [Verse 1] I was born in New York City on a Monday It seems I was out shining shoes by Tuesday noon All the fat cats, in the bad hats doing me a real big favor Got the fat cats, in the bad hats laying it on real good [Abbreviated Chorus] "Here's a dime, boy. Give me a shine, boy." [Verse 2] When the cold wind comes, it lives at New York City And the street's no place to be but there you are So you try hard, or you die hard No one really gives a good damn You try hard, and you die hard No one gives a damn [Chorus] "Here's a dime boy. Give me a shine, boy." Down and out in New York City Ain't nowhere to be, but where can you go? When you're down and out in New York City [Bridge] I'm never, never, never gonna get that way again No, no, no No, no, not me When you need a friend... Need to have a... When you want a friend... [Verse 2] Going to get myself together until the morning Going to leave it all like one bad dream All the fat cats in the bad hats doing me a real big favor Got the fat cats in the bad hats laying it on real good [Chorus] "Here's a dime, boy. Give me a shine, boy Give me a shine, boy." [Outro] Down and out, New York City Ain't nowhere to be. Where can you go? When you're down and out in New York City Said I'm never never never gonna get that way again No, no, no, no, not me When you need a friend, troubled mind When you need a friend, you got a troubled mind Ain't nobody going to give you one thin dime Friends can be cruel--sometimes can be sweet But what, what bugs a man, what hurts a man When you give him a drink Just can't get nothing to eat That's New York City A Hundred and Twenty-Five Street Bricks, Eighth Avenue