New York City
Camp Claude Lyrics


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It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
"That Rare Old Mountain Dew"
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you
Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

You were handsome, you were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
And danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
Yeah, the bells were ringing out
The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
Yeah, the bells were ringing out on Christmas day
On Christmas day
For Christmas day, for Christmas day

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
Yeah, the bells were ringing out
The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
Yeah, the bells were ringing out on Christmas day




On Christmas day, on Christmas day
On Christmas day, on Christmas day, on Christmas day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "New York City" by Camp Claude tell a story that takes place on Christmas Eve, with the singer reminiscing about a past encounter. The song begins with the singer in the drunk tank, where an old man, who senses he won't live to see another Christmas, sings a song called "That Rare Old Mountain Dew." The singer turns away from the old man's song and daydreams about their love interest.


The lyrics then shift to a more joyful tone as the singer recalls a special moment in New York City. They describe their love interest as handsome and pretty, referring to them as the Queen of New York City. The night is filled with music, as Sinatra's voice fills the air, and the drunks join in singing along. The singer and their love interest share a passionate kiss on a street corner and dance through the night.


The song continues with a repeated chorus, where the boys of the NYPD choir sing "Galway Bay," and the bells ring out joyously on Christmas Day. This chorus signifies the sense of celebration and unity that is often associated with the holiday season.


In the final verse, the singer reflects on their dreams and how their love interest has played a significant role in their life. They acknowledge that without their love, they wouldn't be the person they are. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the festive atmosphere created by the NYPD choir and the ringing bells.


Overall, "New York City" by Camp Claude captures both the nostalgia and the joyful spirit of Christmas. It tells a story of love, dreams, and the magical moments that can take place during the holiday season.


Line by Line Meaning

It was Christmas Eve babe
The story begins on Christmas Eve


In the drunk tank
The singer finds themselves in a holding cell for intoxicated individuals


An old man said to me, won't see another one
A wise old man suggests he may not live to see another Christmas


And then he sang a song
The old man proceeds to sing a song


"That Rare Old Mountain Dew"
The song he sings is titled 'That Rare Old Mountain Dew'


I turned my face away
The singer intentionally looks away


And dreamed about you
They daydream about a specific person


Got on a lucky one
The artist took a fortunate chance


Came in eighteen to one
The bet they made had odds of 18 to 1


I've got a feeling
The artist has a strong intuition


This year's for me and you
They believe that this year will be special for both themselves and the person they're addressing


So happy Christmas
The artist wishes the person a joyful Christmas


I love you baby
They express their love for the person


I can see a better time
They envision a happier future


When all our dreams come true
They believe that their shared dreams will eventually become a reality


You were handsome, you were pretty
The person they're addressing is described as attractive


Queen of New York City
They consider this person to be the ruler, or epitome, of New York City


When the band finished playing
After the band concluded their performance


They howled out for more
The crowd demanded an encore


Sinatra was swinging
Frank Sinatra was performing energetically


All the drunks they were singing
Even the intoxicated individuals joined in singing


We kissed on a corner
The artist and the person they're addressing shared a passionate kiss on a street corner


And danced through the night
They danced together throughout the entire night


The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
A male choir from the New York Police Department sang the Irish song 'Galway Bay'


And the bells were ringing out
The bells were joyously chiming


Yeah, the bells were ringing out
Emphasizing the continued ringing of the bells


The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
The NYPD choir repeated their performance of 'Galway Bay'


And the bells were ringing out
The bells kept echoing through the air


Yeah, the bells were ringing out on Christmas day
These joyous bell chimes occurred on Christmas day


On Christmas day
Emphasizing the significance of Christmas day


For Christmas day, for Christmas day
Reiterating that the events described happened on Christmas day


I could have been someone
The artist reflects on their past potential


Well so could anyone
They believe that anyone has the capability to become someone great


You took my dreams from me
The person they're addressing played a role in taking away their dreams


When I first found you
This happened when they initially met this person


I kept them with me babe
Despite losing their dreams, they still hold onto them


I put them with my own
Their dreams are intertwined with their own sense of self


Can't make it all alone
They acknowledge that they can't succeed or achieve happiness on their own


I've built my dreams around you
Their aspirations and desires revolve around this person


The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
Once again, the NYPD choir performed 'Galway Bay'


And the bells were ringing out
The bells kept resonating with joy


Yeah, the bells were ringing out
The ringing of the bells continued


The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"
The NYPD choir repeated their rendition of 'Galway Bay'


And the bells were ringing out
The bells continued to chime happily


Yeah, the bells were ringing out on Christmas day
These cheerful bell chimes occurred on Christmas day


On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Reiterating that the events described happened on Christmas day


On Christmas day, on Christmas day, on Christmas day
Underscoring the importance of Christmas day




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jem Finer, Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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