Schubert wrote a symphony Too bad he didn't finish it Gershwin took a chord in 'G' Proceeded to diminish it I sought a variation On a theme that I thought pretty And I found my inspiration On the east side of the city The Cohens and the Kellys The Campbells and Vermicellis All form a part of my tenement symphony The Cohen's pianola The Kellys and their victrola All warm the heart of my tenement symphony
The Campbells come tumb'lin' down the stairs Hoodlie-ah, hoodlie-ah, hoodlie-ah Oh Marie, oh Marie You'll be late for your date with Izzy And from this confusion I dreamed of a grand illusion It's my tenement symphony in four flats And from this confusion I dreamed of a grand illusion It's my tenement symphony in four flats