Ne Me Quitte Pas

Down in Bowery
They lose their ballads and their lipped-mouths in the night
And stumbling through the street they say
"Sir, do you got a light?"
And if you do, then you're my friend
And if you don't, then you're my foe
And if you are a deity of any sort
Then please don't go

Ne me quitte pas, mon chere

Down on Lexington they walk
In new shoes stuck to aging feet
And close their eyes and open
And not recognize the aging street
And think about how things were right
When they were young and veins were tight
And if you are the ghost of Christmas past
Then won't you stay the night?

Ne me quitte pas, mon chere

Down in Bronxy Bronx
The kids go sledding down snow-covered slopes
And frozen noses, frozen toes
The frozen city starts to glow
And yes, they know that it'll melt
And yes, they know New York will thaw
But if you are a friend of any sort
Then play along and catch a cold

Ne me quitte pas, mon chere

I love Paris in the rain

Down in Paris they walk fast
That is, unless they're walking slow
And in cafes they look away
That is, unless they look right in
And in the gardens I get lost
That is, unless I'm getting found
And if you are the ghost of New York city
Won't you stick around?

Ne me quitte pas, mon chere

I love Paris in the rain

Ne me quitte pas