It's been raining here in Long Beach
The dampness in the air
Tends to straighten out my hair
Against my wishes
But the traces of a song reach
My tattered ear once more
Lend me courage to ignore
The smell of fishes

I was a drunken lout, I ran about
With ladies that I knew
I did 'em wrong all night long
Singing 23 skidoo

Huzahh...huzahh...
Once upon a time I was a kid
Well I don't know what happened then
But I'm warning all you younger men
On your way to Long Beach think again
You can't afford to settle down in Long Beach

I had a rack and coat, a paddle boat
I played the ukelele
Beneath the moon in June I'd croon
Won't you come on home little baby

Huzahh...huzahh...
Once upon a time I was a kid
But now my hair is turning gray
I'm getting fatter every day
If you got any sense you'll stay away
And never give another thought to Long Beach