Due to landscape gardeners gifted
Father knickerbocker's face is being lifted so much
That you hardly know it as such
All the streets are being dressed up
So before they ruin Broadway, I suggest that you go
To the City Fathers and say: Whoa!
Glorify Sixth Avenue
And put bathrooms in the Zoo
But please don't monkey with Broadway
Put big floodlights in the Park
And put Harlem in the dark
But please don't monkey with Broadway
Though it's tawdry and plain
It's a lovely old lane
Full of landmarks galore and memories gay
So move Grant's Tomb to Union Square
And put Brooklyn anywhere
But please, please, I beg on my knees
Don't monkey with old Broadway
Plant trees in the polo grounds
And put Yorkville out of bounds
But please don't monkey with Broadway
Close the Village honky-tonks
Suppress cheeringin the Bronx
But please don't monkey with Broadway
Think what names used to dance
On this road of romance
Think what stars used to stroll along it all day
Make City Halla skating rink
And push Wall Street in the drink
But please, please, I beg on my knees
Don't monkey with old Broadway