Across the old Delaware I fell apart
In the city of brotherly love
And the winter bit hard through the holes in my jacket
And my thoughts lean toward giving up
See, I’ve been a wanderer and it’s been some time
Since I’ve found somewhere I could belong
‘Til a cold wind on Walnut Street whistled in the trees
And it sounded to me like a song
Said: “when you’re down and you’re out
And don’t remember the feeling of joy
You can lean on me, brother,
I won’t let you fall
Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy
Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy”
I took a walk through the city
I bumped shoulders with strangers
The sinners, the saints and the thieves
I looked in faces befitting a cynical age
But we so desperately want to believe
And when I needed a doctor and a brother and a friend
Turn out I wasn’t so far from my home
‘Cause sweet Philadelphia opened her arms
Took me in like I was one of her own
Said: “when you’re down and you’re out
And don’t remember the feeling of joy
You can lean on me, brother,
I won’t let you fall
Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy
Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy”
Just a rounder in need of a home
And a brother who won’t let me go
Benny Franklin’s an old friend you know
It’s not just some face on a hundred dollar bill
He’s my old Philadelphia boy
Oh Lord, he’s a good old Philadelphia boy
No I wasn’t raised Christian
Oh but I was raised good
I never looked to no heavens above
But my wretched old soul is in safe hands tonight
In the city of brotherly love
So I’ll be out for a slice at Lorenzo’s tonight
With a poker chip tight in my hand
If you need a ride I’ll be parked right outside
If you need a brother – well I’m your man
‘Cause when you’re down and you’re out
And don’t remember the feeling of joy
You can lean on me, brother,
I won’t let you fall
Not while I’m a Philadelphia boy
Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy
Oh Lord, not while I’m a Philadelphia boy