Morning came to consciousness as the streetcar slowly creaked
And it froze the beer-glass ashtrays on the balcony railing
And the refuse of the evening was lifted on the breeze
And new day spills into the street

And the duchess is still sleeping when I slip out of bed
And I stand before her a moment, from her apartment I decend
She's filthy like she's wealthy, I'm guilty as my debts
I'm a squeezed accordion

But if I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York City
Oh Tanya wont you help me
Dissolve all of my longings
If I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York
It better be like it was before

Tanya I'll be leaving when the sunlight hits the street
I want to sound your name in verses, echo off of the buildings
I want to disappear with you now Tanya
in the rising subway steam,
I know you don't know me but trust me please

Oh I tried so hard to kiss you, tell me, did you burn like I burned
In that blue haze of morning when it was just starting to hurt
And me and Joey were still wasted watching the city walk to work,
I've been screaming all night, someone tell me that you heard.

But If I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York City
Oh Tanya wont you let me wrap your limbs around me
If I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York
It better be like it was before

I'll think of you in California when the gutters start to flood
And I'll wear you woven in my winter coat, spiked in my blood
I hope you're as lovely as you were that night when I was drunk
I just wish you'd call me, you know I wont ask for much

But if I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York City
Oh Tanya I hope you're sorry as you watch my star rising
And If I get back to New York City
If I get back to New York
It better be like it was before