This is the story of my beloved Hudson Valley home

where history waltzes by where Washington once roamed

and artists painted for which a new school was named

but the real secret is that all the stars hide up here from fame

Everyone sees New York as just Manhattan and the city

but up here in the country is where it’s really pretty

You can still go to shows and things to amuse and entertain

but all you really need to do to see it is to hop on any train

A couple of hours shows you all the bright lights that you may crave

Museums, good shopping and the sights about which they all do rave

Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the rest

but come back here, cause peace and quiet, the country does the best

By the banks of the mighty Hudson River the summers often burn

but then the mountains burst with color as soon as autumn turns

Visit Roosevelt’s Estate or Vanderbilt on a sunny spring day in May

for soon winter comes with snow and fun for sledding, ski and play

I can take you for a coffee and poem at all the bookstores and cafes

we have antiques in Cold Spring and for the sports fans, don’t dismay

The Hudson Valley Renegades have their stadium for your daily fix

and you can be sure that you will meet friendly people in the mix

Hyde Park to meet Eleanor and FDR (Everyready Diner for a meal)

It was on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives (for real!)

Rhinebeck for Beekman Arms, Upstate films, craft fairs and fine art

New Paltz for Monhonk Mountain House and college (if you’re smart)

I could go on forever, you see there’s so much to love up here,

but it’s getting very late and now my bedtime’s here, I fear,

so if you want to come and see this Hudson Valley I call home,

Pack your bags, and just like Washington, together we will roam