Nat “King” Cole

Songwriter: Charles Lawlor

Down in front of Casey's
Old brown wooden stoop
On a summer's evening
We formed a merry group;
Boys and girls together
We would sing and waltz
While the "Ginnie" played the organ
On the sidewalks of New York

[Chorus]
East side, West side
All around the town
The tots sang 'Ring-a-Rosie'
'London Bridge is falling down!
Boys and girls together
Me and Mamie O'Rorke
Tripped the light fantastic
On the sidewalks of New York

That's where Johnny Casey
And little Jimmy Crowe
With Jakey Krause the baker
Who always had the dough
Pretty Nellie Shannon
With a dude as light as cork
First picked up the waltz step
On the sidewalks of New York

[Chorus]
Things have changed since those times
And some are up in "G,"
Others are wand'rers
But all feel just like me
They would part with all they've got
Could they but once more walk
With their best girl and have a twirl
On the Sidewalks of New York

[Chorus]

Nathaniel Adams Coles (17 March 1919 – 15 February 1965) was born in Montgomery, Alabama and used the stage name Nat “King” Cole throughout his career as a jazz pianist and later as a singer.

Cole’s first mainstream hit was “Straighten Up and Fly Right” in 1943. Bo Diddley, who performed similar folk-based material said that song was a big influence on him.

In the late 40s, Cole began recording more pop-oriented material. His stature as a pop singer was cemented by hits like “Route 66”, “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable”. In the 50s, virtually every home had a copy of his Christmas album.

more tracks from the album

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer

From the album

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer (1963)

Nat “King” Cole popular songs

On The Sidewalks Of New YorkNat “King” Cole

Nat “King” Cole

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer