What makes Paree like Paree ought to be?
All the natives agree: Pigalle!
Wonderful street where the simple folk meet
with the social elite: Pigalle!
Sidewalk cafes, waiters balancing trays,
morning, night, and noon.
Taxicabs toot while a guy on a flute
fingers "Claire de lune".
Mademoiselles wink their eyes at the swells
where the corner sign spells: Pigalle!
Take it from me, when you visit Paree,
yes, you better have seen Pigalle!
Mmm, never blasé, always chipper and gay
with the night writers, hey Pigalle!
Dare I declare once a bald-headed square
even let down its hair: Pigalle!
Walk to and fro and the first thing you know
you're in love, love, love.
It goes to your head and, unless you are dead,
life is mad with yeahs.
Never subdued is the carnival loose,
not a saint, not a clue: Pigalle!
Laugh hopelessly but my friends you'll agree
that the moment you leave Pigalle!