I like the sight and the sound and even the stink of it
 They happen to like New York
 Last Sunday afternoon I took a trip to Hackensack
 But after I gave Hackensack the once over
 I took the next train back
 And the undertaker starts to ring my funeral bell
 I happen to like New York
 I happen to like New York
 I happen to like this town
 I like the city air I like to drink of it
 The more I know New York the more I think of it
 I happen to like New York
 I like to go to Battery Park and watch those liners booming in
 I often ask myself Why should it be
 that they should come so far from across the sea
 I suppose it's because they all agree with me
 I happen to love this burg
 I happen to like this town
 And when I have to give the world a last farewell
 I don't want to go to heaven don't want to go to hell
 I happen to like New York