A Gotham Garden of Verses
I
In summer when the days are hot
The subway is delayed a lot;
In winter, quite the selfsame thing;
In autumn also, and in spring.
And does it not seem strange to you
That transportation is askew
In this--I pray, restrain your mirth!--
In this, the Greatest Town on Earth?
II
All night long and every night
The neighbors dance for my delight;
I hear the people dance and sing
Like practically anything.
Women and men and girls and boys,
All making curious kinds of noise
And dancing in so weird a way,
I never saw the like by day.
So loud a show was never heard
As that which yesternight occurred:
They danced and sang, as I have said,
As I lay wakeful in my bed.
They shout and cry and yell and laugh
And play upon the phonograph;
And endlessly I count the sheep,
Endeavouring to fall asleep.
III
It is very nice to think
This town is full of meat and drink;
That is, I'd think it very nice
If my pappa but had the price.
IV
This town is so full of a number of folks,
I'm sure there will always be matter for jokes.
poem by Franklin P. Adams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Boys Are Back In Town
Guess who just got back today
Them wildout boys, that'd been away
Haven't changed, had much to say
But man I still think them cats are great
They were asking if you were around
How you was, where you could be found
Told them you were living downtown
Driving all the old men crazy
The Boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I Said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
You know that chic who used to dance a lot?
Every night she'd be on the floor, shaken what she got
Man when I tell you she was cool she was red hot
I mean she was steamin'
And that time over at Johnny's place
When this chic got up and slapped Johnny's face
Man we just fell about the place
What that chic don't wanna know forget 'er
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(I said) The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
Spread the word around
Guess who's back in town
You spread the word around
Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's bar and grill
The drinks will flow and blood would spill
If the boys wanna fight you better let 'em
That kid rocks down at the corner blasting out my favourite song
The nights are getting warmer and won't be long
Wont be long till the summer comes
Now that the boys are here again
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
The boys are back in town (the boys are back in town)
(Spread the word around)
The boys are back in town (The boys are back in town)
(The boys are back, the boys are back)
The boys are back in town again
They're hanging out at Dino's
The boys are back in town again
song performed by by Thin Lizzy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Boys-Town And Girls-Town
Boys-Town and Girls-Town,
The human race reacts to the weather in different ways;
But i am the king that you are looking for.
This is like the last spiritual dance in your town,
And it is like the queen that you are seeking for;
But the healing tree is very far away from home!
And like the red colour of the earth around us.
Boys-Town and Girls-Town,
We all see what is going on around us;
But are we really ready to learn? !
For many have been deceived already,
And we cannot overcome the sickness of this world.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Be Rad
Sometimes in a crowd we get talkin' real loud. Making fun of weird folks, turn their lives into jokes. I don't think it's fair when we start not to care. I think it's a shame, because we live in Jesus' name. We dance the night away, making fun of everybodies clothes. We drink the night away, and we pray that no one will ever know our insecurities. They make us act all big and bad. We're never sure of these. Lots of lip, and make ya' not be rad. You dance the night away, making fun of everybodies clothes. You drink the night away, and you pray that no one will ever know your insecurities. They make you act all big and bad. You're never sure of these. Lots of lip, and make ya' not be rad.
song performed by by Relient K
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They Dance!
During the day
She's a full time typist
At the computer
And on the phone
During the day
He's a auto-mecnhanic
Punchin' a time clock
And livin' alone
But at night
In the dark
When the sun goes down
Yes at night
Night is when they
Go to town!
And they dance
And she fells like
Ginger Rogers
They dance!
He's got the flair
Of Fred Astaire
They dance!
As they glide
Around the ballroom
They dance!
And the world
Belongs to them
When they dance!
Nobody knows that
She has a secret
None of her family
Would ever connect
All of his friends think
He's shy and quiet
Not in the world would
They ever suspect
That at night
In the dark
When the sun goes down
Yes at night
Night is when they
Go to town
And they dance!
He's as cool as
John Travolta!
They dance!
She's as hot as Janet J.!
They dance!
As they glide
Around the ballroom
They dance!
They forget about the day
When they dance!
And they dance!
He's Antonio Banderas
They dance!
She's Ann Miller
On the screen!
They dance!
Now the crowd
Is cheering louder
They dance!
And the night
Is like a dream
When they dance!
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Town
This town is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place is coming like a ghost town
Bands wont play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang as the music played in any boomtown
This town is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Cant go on no more
The people getting angry
song performed by by Prodigy
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mary Janes Last Dance
She grew up in an indiana town
Had a good lookin momma who never was around
But she grew up tall and she grew up right
With them indiana boys on an indiana night
Well she moved down here at the age of 18
She blew the boys away, it was more than theyd se en
I was introduced and we both started groovin
She said, I dig you baby but I got to keep movin
...on, keep movin on
Last dance with mary jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and im
Tired of this town again
Well I dont know what Ive been told
You never slow down, you never grow old
Im tired of screwing up, Im tired of goin down
Im tire of myself, Im tired of this town
Oh my my, oh hell yes
Honey put on that party dress
Buy me a drink, sing me a song,
Take me as I come cause I cant stay long
Last dance with mary jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and im
Tired of this town again
T heres pidgeons down in market square
Shes standin in her underwear
Lookin down from a hotel room
Nightfall will be comin soon
Oh my my, oh hell yes
Youve got to put on that party dress
It was too cold to cry when I woke up al one
I hit the last number, I walked to the road
Last dance with mary jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and im
Tired of this town again
song performed by by Tom Petty
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Only Joy In Town
I want to paint a picture
Botticelli style
Instead of venus on a clam
Id paint this flower child
You are the air my flowers breathe
He calls, and the ladies turn around
On the first day of spring
Im looking at the only joy around
Hes the only joy around
The only joy I found
The only joy in town
The spanish steps are crowded
Bunch of bodies brooding there
Dead pan side-walk vendors
Hustling vacant stares
Making all the more exceptional
This fool in a flower crown
On the first day of spring
Im looking at the only joy in town
Hes the only joy around
The only joy I found
The only joy in town
The botticelli black boy
With the fuchias in his hair
Is breathing in women like oxygen
On the spanish stairs
In my youth I would have followed him
All through this terra-cotta town
On the first day of spring
Wed dance and sing
And be the only joy around
Wed be the only joy around
The only joy in town
Hes the only joy Ive found
All day
At night these streets are empty
Where does everybody go
Where are the brash and tender rooms
In roman candle glow
Where are fellinis circus
La dolce vita clowns
On the first day of spring
Im looking
At the only joy in town
Hes the only joy around
The only joy I found
The only joy in town
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Scottish Dance
I once had myself a Scottish Lassie
She then became my joy and pride
Then one-night she gave me Scottish ale
Then she became my Scottish bride
~We then danced around the table
We danced across the floor
We danced and danced all night long
And then we drank a little more~
She enjoyed to go out clubbing
Her family and mates I would meet
She was so exciting and loving
And when I grabbed her she said I was cheek...
I once had myself a Scottish Lassie
She was also my Scottish bride
She fed me Scottish eggs and Haggis
I got so sick I thought I had nearly died.
~So we danced around the table
We danced across the floor
We danced and danced all night long
And then we ate a little more.~
She took me out dancing
Where I would meet her friends and mates
She would drink and dance all night long
How I wished to go back to the states...
I once had myself a Scottish Lassie
She was also my Scottish wife
She told me she loved me with all of her heart
And together we would share the same life.
~So we danced around the table
We danced across the floor
We danced and danced all night long
And then we loved a little more~
I would take her out drinking
Every Friday and Saturday night
One thing she loved more than drinking or singing
My lassie she loved to argue and fight...
I once had myself a Scottish Lassie
But that was many years ago
I will always remember my Scottish Lassie
And the places that we use to go
~We would dance around the table
We would dance across the floor
We would dance and dance all night long
And then we would dance a little more~
Now I am alone and single
But her memories and thoughts I do keep
I remember the good-times and not the bad
So now I smile and I never weep
~So I dance around the table
I dance across the floor
I dance and dance all night long
And then I drink and dance a little more~
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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In The Far Away Town
The cold northern winds blowing and the rain bucketing down
And the storm-water drains overflowing in the far away town
On the dimly lit main street on a wet Autumn night
Few cars or trucks pass up and down and not a person in sight
But in the local pub there is music, dance and song
And with the ballad singer the patrons happily sing along
In the rural town on a wet saturday night far inland from the sea
The local pub where the locals are does seem the place to be
For any form of socializing for those who enjoy such a thing
Some men when drunk they like to fight some like to dance and sing
The chilly wind of late Autumn has Winter in it's cry
And the thundery rain is pouring down from the moonless night sky
But in the local pub 'tis standing room only and not a vacant seat
And the music and pub din from there echoes down the quiet street.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nobody Gets Off In This Town
Nobody gets off in this town
Trains dont even slow down
My high school sweethearts married and gone
They met on a bus to san antone
The greyhound stops! somebody gets on
But nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
Old folks round here wear a frown
Now let me see if I can set the scene
Its a one-dog town and hes old and mean
Theres one stop light but its always green
Nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
High school colors are brown
They cant drag main because it kicks up dust
Their cars and their dreams are all starting to rust
The high school dances are always a bust
Nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
They oughta just tear it down
Cause in the winter you freeze and in the summer you fry
Utility bills the only thing that gets high
Id go for a drink but this county is dry
Nobody gets off
Nobody gets off
Nobody gets off in this square old merry-go-round
No, nobody gets off in this town
song performed by by Garth Brooks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A New York Child's Garden of Verses
(With the usual.)
I
In winter I get up at night,
And dress by an electric light.
In summer, autumn, ay, and spring,
I have to do the self-same thing.
I have to go to bed and hear
Pianos pounding in my ear,
And hear the janitor cavort
With garbage cans within the court.
And does it not seem hard to you
That I should have these things to do?
Is it not hard for us Manhat-
Tan children in a stuffy flat?
II
It is very nice to think
The world is full of food and drink;
But, oh, my father says to me
They cost all of his salaree.
III
When I am grown to man's estate
I shall be very proud and great;
E'en now I have no reverence,
'Cause I read comic supplements.
IV
New York is so full of a number of kids
I'm sure pretty soon we shall be invalids.
V
A child should always say what's true,
And speak when he is spoken to;
And then, when manhood's age he strikes,
He may be boorish as he likes.
poem by Franklin P. Adams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bad Boys
(coverdale/sykes)
I know you, you know me
Im the black sheep of the family,
Im in an out of trouble
Im the talk of the town
I get wild in the street
When the sun goes down
I steal around, like a thief in the night
Dancing til the break of day
Bad boys,
Running undercover of moonlight
Bad, bad boys,
Getting wild in the street,
Wild in the city
I see you, you see me
Just a black street boy in society
With high-heeled women full of champagne an lies,
Getting wild in the street
til the hot sunrise
Stealing round like a thief in the night
Dancing til the break of day
Bad boys,
Running undercover of moonlight
Bad, bad boys,
Getting wild in the street,
Wild in the city,
Wild in the city,
Wild in the city
Bad, bad boys,
Running undercover of moonlight
Bad, bad boys,
Getting wild in the street,
Wild in the city
I know you, you know me
Im the black sheep of the family,
Im in an out of trouble
Im the talk of the town
I get wild in the street
When the sun goes down
I dont care what the people think,
I cant hear what the people say,
I steal around like a thief in the night
Dancing til the break of day
Bad, bad boys,
Running undercover of moonlight
Bad, bad boys,
Getting wild in the street,
Bad, bad, bad boys,
Running undercover of moonlight
Bad, bad boys,
Getting wild in the street,
Wild in the city
Undercover of moonlight...
song performed by by Whitesnake
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Your Mama Don't Dance
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
But when evening comes around and it's time to
Hit the town
Where do you go - You gotta rock it
The old folks say that ya gotta end your date
By ten
But if you're out on a date don't you
Bring her home late cuz it's a sin
You know there's no excuse
You know you're gonna lose you never win
I'll say it again
And it's all because your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
When evenin' rolls around and it's time to
Hit the town
Where do you go - To rock it, rock it
(lead)
Everyone gather round let me tell you all
About it
You see I pulled into a drive-in and
I found a place to park
We hopped into the backseat where it's
Always nice and dark
I'm just about to move thinking to myself Mmm
Bret this is a breeze
Then there's a light in my eye and a guy says
Out of the car long hair
Oowee - You're coming with me
Said the local police
And it's all because your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
When evenin' rolls around and it's time to
Hit the town
Where do you go - Play me a little C.C.
(lead)
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't
Rock and roll
They just ain't cool and they ain't about to start
Your mama don't dance and you daddy don't rock
Your mama don't dance, no
She just don't dance, no
You mama don't dance
And you daddy don't rock and roll, oww no
song performed by by Kenny Loggins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dancing on butterfly wings
Dancing dancing,
swaying my hips.
You wish you could see
the butterfly tattoo
and kiss my lips.
I'll dance all night long,
and sing with the crowd
but when this night is done
i would don my shroud.
You see I'm that person
that can fly all day and night
never caught, cause even fragile i will fight.
I can have yellow black or even green
cause i only dance on butterfly wings.
You can reach out for me
with your in-snaring net
I will just dance away.
Cause you can surely bet,
I dance dance dance,
on butterfly wings.
Beauty sprouts from my back,
colors swirl down to my feet.
I dance and dance
all night long.
And I'll disappear in the winter
I'll come dance another night.
poem by Ashley burnam
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Boys Are Back In Town
Guess who just got back today?
Those wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man, i still think those cats are great
They were asking if you were around
How you was, where you could be found
I told them you were living downtown
Driving all the old men crazy
The boys are back in town
You know the chick that used to dance a lot
Every night she'd be on the floor shaking what she'd got
Man when i tell you she was cool, she was red hot
I mean she was steaming
That night over at johnny's place
Well this chick got up and she slapped johnny's face
Man we just fell about the place
If that chick don't want to know, forget her
Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at dino's bar and grill
The drink will flow and blood will spill
If the boys want to fight, you'd better let them
That jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song
The nights are getting warmer, it won't be long
It won't be long till summer comes
Now that the boys are here again
The boys are back in town
song performed by by Everclear
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tear Tram Lines
This town has lost its sparkle,
The stars have lost their shine,
This town’s too full of echoes,
And my face too full of lines.
The shore has lost its tide,
The waves have lost their rhyme,
This town’s too full of tears,
And my smile too full of lines.
The clock has stopped it’s ticking
My feet dance out of time,
This town’s too full of yesterdays,
And my frown too full of lines
The cinema’s showing it’s last reel,
The pubs have all called time,
This towns too full of actors
And my script too full of unread lines….
From Early To Mid Spring
The weather changeable from early to mid Spring
But so nice to hear the nesting songbirds sing
In the town park in the gray dawn of the day
Song in their breeding season to defend territory a huge part seems to play
Yesterday we had some heavy showers of rain
But today the sun shines in the sky again
The cooler weather of the Winter all but gone
And the days will become warmer as the Spring goes on
The parks and paddocks looking lush and green
And Nature at her very finest seen
In early Spring the white backed magpie he pipes day and night
And the blackbird can be heard at dawn's first light
And magpie larks build their cup shaped nest on branch of tree
And all day long sing out pee wee pee wee.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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West End Girls
(....forever)
Sometimes youre better off dead
Theres gun in your hand and its pointing at your head
You think youre mad, too unstable
Kicking in chairs and knocking down tables
In a restaurant in a west end town
Call the police, theres a madman around
Running down underground to a dive bar
In a west end town
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
West end girls
Too many shadows, whispering voices
Faces on posters, too many choices
If, when, why, what?
How much have you got?
Have you got it, do you get it, if so, how often?
And which do you choose, a hard or soft option?
(how much do you need? )
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
West end girls
West end girls
(how much do you need? )
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
Oooh west end town, a dead end world
East end boys, west end girls
West end girls
Youve got a heart of glass or a heart of stone
Just you wait till I get you home
Weve got no future, weve got no past
Here today, built to last
In every city, in every nation
From lake geneva to the finland station
(how far have you been? )
In a west end town, a dead end world
The east end boys and west end girls
A west end town, a dead end world
East end boys, west end girls
West end girls
West end girls
West end girls
(how far have you been? )
Girls
East end boys
And west end girls
And west end girls
And west end girls
East end boys
The west end girls
The west end boys
And west end girls
The west end girls
The west end boys
The west end girls
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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John Evereldown
"Where are you going to-night, to-night, --
Where are you going, John Evereldown?
There's never the sign of a star in sight,
Nor a lamp that's nearer than Tilbury Town.
Why do you stare as a dead man might?
Where are you pointing away from the light?
And where are you going to-night, to-night, --
Where are you going, John Evereldown?"
"Right through the forest, where none can see,
There's where I'm going, to Tilbury Town.
The men are asleep, -- or awake, may be, --
But the women are calling John Evereldown.
Ever and ever they call for me,
And while they call can a man be free?
So right through the forest, where none can see,
There's where I'm going, to Tilbury Town."
"But why are you going so late, so late, --
Why are you going, John Evereldown?
Though the road be smooth and the path be straight,
There are two long leagues to Tilbury Town.
Come in by the fire, old man, and wait!
Why do you chatter out there by the gate?
And why are you going so late, so late, --
Why are you going, John Evereldown?"
"I follow the women wherever they call, --
That's why I'm going to Tilbury Town.
God knows if I pray to be done with it all,
But God is no friend to John Evereldown.
So the clouds may come and the rain may fall,
The shadows may creep and the dead men crawl, --
But I follow the women wherever they call,
And that's why I'm going to Tilbury Town."
poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Word Up
Oh
Yo pretty ladies around the world
Got a weird thing to show you
So tell all the boys and girls
Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too
We're about to go down
And you know just what to do
Wave your hands in the air like you don't care
Gilde by the people as they start to look and stare
Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Now all you sucker DJ's who think you're fly
There's got to be a reason and we know the reason why
You try to put on those airs and act real cool
But you got to realise that you're acting like fools
If there's music we can use it
Be free to dance
We don't have the time for psychological romance
No romance, no romance, no romance for me mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
song performed by by Korn
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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