From Cape Cod Light to the Mississip, to San Francisco Bay, They're talking about this famous place, down Greenwich Village way.
And so I got my banjo out, just sittin' and collectin' dust, And painted right across the face "Greenwich Village or Bust." My folks were sad to see me go, but I got no meanin' there. I said "Goodbye, Kansas, Mo, and hello, Washington Square!"
Near Tennessee, I met a guy who played 12-string guitar. He also had a mighty voice, not to mention a car. Each time he hit those bluegrass chords, you sure smelled mountain air. I said, "Don't waste it on the wind. Come on to Washington Square." She sang for all humanity, this gal with the raven hair. I said, "It's for the world to hear. C'mon to Washington Square."
We cannonballed into New York on good old US 1, Till up ahead we saw the arch, a-gleamin' bright in the sun. So how's about a freedom song, or the old Rock Island Line? Or how's about the dust-bowl crop, or men who work in a mine? The songs and legends of our land is gold we all can share, So come and join us folks who stand and sing in Washington Square.