In Central Park in May
- Geoffrey Clarfield
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
In Central Park in May is my homage to the Great American Songbook and its largely pre-WWII composers and performers. I lived and worked in Manhattan for three years and every Sunday rode my bike around and in Central Park. I only wish that I could send this song to the Gershwin Brothers or to Cole Porter for consideration.
Original lyrics and music copyright © 2025 by Geoffrey Clarfield. Arranged by Z. Gitalis.
In Central Park in May
The man sellin' chestnuts
Don't know the time of day
He's dressed for colder weather
His coat is of yellow leather
Coins jingle in his tray
Little kids with large buck teeth
Scamperin' down the street
25 miles an hour
They don't care if it rains or showers
In Central Park in May
Chorus:
Some say it's all in vain
The people dwell here in such strain
But I've seen the world
Through my window pane
In Central Park in May
Pass any corner
Where steel drums beat out
Their rhythms from a warmer climate
Sweatin to get some attention
In a very special way
There's a blind man
Soakin up the sun
Lovers starin' one on one
A poster pushes P.T. Barnum
Read in accents of Spanish Harlem
Some say it's all in vain
The people dwell here in such pain
But I've seen the world
Through my window pane
In Central Park in May
Early morning strollers
Walkin' Siamese cats
Can't see past the rims of their hats
Close to police with their hardwood bats
No one must dirty their diamonds
Here's a bit of yellin'
Over there there's a bear
And shriners in Arabian costumes
Paradin' in their hats and red plumes
Pass a dude hawkin' rings and perfume
Some say it's all in vain
The people dwell here in such pain
But I've seen the world
Through my window pane
In Central Park in May
I've seen the world
Through my window pane
In Central Park in May
In Central Park in May
In Central Park in May