In Old New York
Lyrics
The evening rays cross the sloping ridges of the Bronx
Down to the sound I make my way o’er the moss and slippery rocks
The northwest winds behind me
The stars overhead will guide me across the water of the Harlem River
My compass spins towards the magnet of your smile
As I wade through the marshes of our silent isle
The beavers may regard me suspiciously
The puma may eye me deliciously
But he won’t keep me from my intended course to you
So meet me by the tallest tree where 34th and 5th will be
I’ll take you on a quiet spree in old New York
Lightening strikes as the Hudson rises into view
Take my hand don’t let this thunder bother you
The rain may pour down all around us
The sky may rise up to greet us
But we’ll just sink out baskets in and pull up our meals
So meet me where the bloodroots grow
Where Washington Square Park will go
There’s time enough for you to know ‘bout old New York
We’ll dream upon the sandy shores
In the shadow of the sycamores
One day we will be no more in old New York
Story
Before the Europeans arrived, Manhattan was a different place indeed. A quiet island teeming with life—puma, lynx, moose and herons, not to mention the Lenape.
In Old New York imagines a jaunt from the “sloping ridges of the Bronx” down to a Hudson river teeming with fish.
Musicians
Doug Stone—vocals and guitar
Robin Aigner—backing vocals
David Wechsler—backing vocals
Gerald Menke—pedal steel guitar and guitar
Ross Bonadonna—saxophone, percussion and guitar
J.D. Foster—bass
Bill Gerstel—drums
Music and lyrics
Doug Stone