Say brother, can I borrow a thin' brother, you know, a dime?
Say it, say it, say it sis, I sure would like to have this little dime for me
So I can get this cup of coffee, cop me a snack or somethin'
I guess I better quit tryin' to be hip and get on down
Yea man, like, you know

I was born in New York City on a Monday
It seems I was out shinin' shoes 'bout two to noon
All the fat cats in the bad hats doin' me a real big favor
Got the fat cats in the bad hats layin' it on real good
Here's a dime boy, give me a shine boy

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
Here's a dime boy, give me a shine boy

Down and out in New York City
Ain't no way to be but where can you go?
When you're down and out in New York City
I'm never, never, never gonna get that way again
No, no, no, no, no, not me

When you need a friend, you need to have one
When you want a friend
Gonna get myself together 'til the mornin'
Gonna leave it all and a one bad dream
All the fat cats in the bad hats doin' me a real big favor
Got the fat cats in the bad hats laying it on real good
Here's a dime boy, give me a shine boy
Give me a shine boy