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 goNe me quitte pas, mon chereDown 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 chereDown 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 coldNe me quitte pas, mon chereI love Paris in the rainDown 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 chereI love Paris in the rainNe me quitte pas