[Verse 1]
This is a terrible city
The people are cattle and swine
There isn't a girl I'd call pretty
Or a friend that I'd call mine
And the only decent place on earth
Is the town that gave me birth
You can keep your Athens
You can keep your Rome
I'm a hometown fellow
And I pine for home

[Chorus]
I want to go back, go back
To dear old Syracuse

[Verse 2]
Though I've worn out sandals
And my funds are low
There's a light that's burning in the patio

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
It is no metropolis
It has no big Acropolis
And yet there is a quorum
Of cuties in the forum
Though the boys wear tunics that are out of style
They will always greet me with a friendly smile
[Chorus]
I want to go back, go back
To dear old Syracuse

[Verse 5]
Both the Nile and Danube
Are a silly bore
I've a hometown river
That assaults my door

[Chorus]

[Verse 6]
When a man is lonely
It is good to know
There's a red light burning in the patio

[Chorus]

[Verse 7]
Wives don't want divorces there
The men are strong as horses there
And should a man philander
The goose forgives the gander
When the search for love becomes a mania
You can take the night boat to Albania
[Chorus]