Hard Times in New York Songtext
von Bob Dylan

Come you ladies and you gentlemen, a-listen to my song
Sing it to you right, but you might think it′s wrong
Just a little glimpse of a story I'll tell

"Bout an East Coast city that you all know well
It′s hard times in the city,
Livin' down in New York town

Old New York City is a friendly old town,
From Washington Heights to Harlem on down
There's a-mighty many people all millin′ all around

They′ll kick you when you're up and knock you when you′re down
It's hard times in the city,
Livin′ down in New York town

It's a mighty long ways from the Golden Gate
To Rockefeller Plaza n′ the Empire State
Mister Rockefeller sets up as high as a bird

Old Mister Empire never says a word
It's hard times from the country,
Livin' down in New York town


Well, it′s up in the mornin′ tryin' to fins a job of work
Stand in one place till your feet begin to hurt
If you go a lot o′ money you can make yourself merry

If you only got a nickel, it's the Staten Island Ferry
And it′s hard times in the city
Livin' down in New York town

Mister Hudson come a-sailin′ down the stream
And old Mister Minuet paid for his dream
Bought your city on a one-way track

'F I had my way I'd sell it right back
And it′s hard times in the city,
Livin′ down in New York town

I'll take all the smog in Cal-i-for-ne-ay,
′N' every bit of dust in the Oklahoma plains,
′N' the dirt in the caves of the Rocky Mountain mines

It′s all much cleaner than the New York kind
And it's hard times in the city,
Livin' down in New York town

So all you newsy people, spread the news around,
You c′n listen to m′ story, listen to m' song
You c′n step on my name, you c'n try ′n' get me beat


When I leave New York, I′ll be standin' on my feet
And it's hard times in the city,
Livin′ down in New York town.