Leonard Bernstein
Taxi Number: “Come Up to My Place”
[CHIP]
My father told me, "Chip, my boy
There'll come a time when you leave home
If you should ever hit New York
Be sure to see the Hippodrome"
[HILDY]:
The Hippodrome?
[CHIP]
The Hippodrome
[HILDY]
Did I hear right?
Did you say the Hippodrome?
[CHIP]
Yes, you heard right
Yes, I said the Hip—
Hey, what did you stop for?
[HILDY]
It ain't there anymore
Aida sang an "A"
And blew the place away!
[CHIP, spoken]
Aw, I wanted to see the Hippodrome!
[HILDY, spoken]
Give me a chance, kid. I may not have fivе thousand seats, but the one I havе is a honey! Come up to my place!
[CHIP, spoken]
Oh no, lady; the Forrest Theatre.
(sung)
When I was home I saw the plays
The Ladies' Drama Circle showed
Now I am here, I want to get
Some tickets for "Tobacco Road"
[HILDY]
"Tobacco Road?"
[CHIP]
"Tobacco Road"
[HILDY]
Did I dig that?
"Did you say Tobacco Road?"
[CHIP]
Yes, you dug that
Yes, I said "Tobac—"
Hey, what for did you stop?
[HILDY]
That show has closed up shop
The actors washed their feet
And called it "Angel Street"
[CHIP, spoken]
Aw, I wanted to see "Tobacco Road."
[HILDY]
Stick with me, kid, and I'll show you the road to ruin. Come on up to my place!
[CHIP, spoken]
Oh, no, Battery Park.
(sung)
Back home I dreamt of catching fish
So big I couldn't carry 'em
They told me that they have my size
Right here in the Aquarium
[HILDY]
Aquarium?
[CHIP]
Aquarium
[HILDY]
Hold the phone, Joe
Did you say Aquarium?
[CHIP]
I'm still ringing
But I said Aquar—
Did you stop for what, hey?
[HILDY]
The fish have flown away
They're in the Bronx instead
They might as well be dead!
(spoken)
Come up to my place.
[CHIP, spoken]
No, Chambers Street.
(sung)
They told me I could see New York
In all its spreading strength and power
From the city's highest spot
Atop the famous Woolworth Tower
[HILDY]
The Woolworth Tower?
[CHIP]
The Woolworth Tower
[HILDY]
Beat me, Daddy
Did you say the Woolworth Tower?
[CHIP]
I won't beat you
But I said the Wool—
Did you stop for hey, what?
[HILDY]
That ain't the highest spot
You're just a little late
We got the Empire State!
Let's go to my place!
[CHIP]
Let's go to Cleopatra's Needle
[HILDY]
Let's go to my place!
[CHIP]
Let's see Wanamaker's Store
[HILDY]
Let's go to my place!
[CHIP]
Let's go to Lindy's, go to Luchow's
[HILDY]
Go to my place!
[CHIP]
Let's see Radio City and Herald Square
[HILDY]
Let's go to my place!
[CHIP]
Go to Reuben's!
[HILDY]
Go to my place!
[CHIP]
Go to Macy's!
[HILDY]
Go to my place!
[CHIP]
To the Roxy!
[HILDY]
Go to my place!
[CHIP]
Cloisters!
[HILDY]
My place!
[CHIP]
Gimbel's!
[HILDY]
My place!
[CHIP]
Flatiron
[HILDY]
My place!
[CHIP]
Building!
[HILDY]
My place!
[CHIP]
Hippodrome!
[HILDY, spoken]
My place!