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 found somewhere I could belong
'Til the 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
Turned 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
He'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
Now 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 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