New York used to be a better place,
At least down this way.
Mostly families in my building;
It was a Catholic town on Avenue A.

Now the grocery store's a nightclub,
And all night they play.
Lots of clubs and lots of stylish clothes
But no cheap meals on Avenue A.

Kept the dope trade down on Third Street:
They like to get high.
From the windows of Mercedes
Or in their cabs:
They're watching downtown walk by.

On my way to St. Marks Place
To a lover I kept waiting all night.
Sun comes up over Brooklyn now,
High in the sky—
I'm leaving this club so late.

For the kind of place a family needs
A family can't pay.
Better not lose your apartment
When uptown comes to Avenue A.

On my way to St. Marks Place
To a lover I kept waiting all night.
Sun comes up over Brooklyn now,
High in the sky—
I'm leaving this club so late.

When the summer comes I'll take a walk
Through Tompkins Square.
Get a beer and find a park bench;
When I've lost my home
Look for me there,
Look for me there,
Look for me there.

Mike Enright, 1981