[Intro: Frankie Crocker, spoken]
This song is taken from the motion picture "Black Caesar"

[Intro: James Brown]
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 their 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." Oww!

[Verse 2]
When a 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 goddamn
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
OW! No, no, no... no, not me
When you need a friend...
Need to have a...
When you want a friend...

[Verse 3]
Gonna get myself together till the morning
Gonna leave it all, like a one bad dream
All the bad cats in the bad hats, doing me a real big favor
You've got the bad cats in the bad hats laying it on real good

[Chorus/outro]
"Here's a dime, boy. Give me a shine, boy
Give me a shine, boy."