John Gilmartin was a strong man, he was a strong man,
Till he fell down the stairs.
And got his Workman's Comp.
Now he lives alone, he's the oldest bachelor on the block of his Far Rockaway home, Rockaway.

Scared old ladies from behind the door ask, "Who is it?"
And then don't open up.
They know John, but you can't be too careful,
Can't be too careful.
Well I wouldn't want to be here when the sun comes up,
Or the bars let out.

When the gas bill comes he makes a call to his nephews down in Port Chester and Rye.
Then comes the check and the promise of a visit some afternoon in the summertime.

Scared old ladies from behind the door ask, "Who is it?"
And then don't open up.
They know John, but you can't be too careful,
Can't be too careful.
Well I wouldn't want to be here when the sun comes up,
Or the bars let out.

John Gilmartin was a strong man, he was a strong man,
Till he fell down the stairs.