When people speak of gay paree
They think that when they say paree is gay
They mean that gay paree is gay!

It is!

Not in the way paree
Was gay in yesterday paree
It means today that gay paree is gay

Not that gay

They say paree has always been that way

Along the banks of the seine
Just take a walk now and then
You'll meet some interesting men
Gay paree

Along the rue madeleine
Each evening 'round about ten
You'll see it time and time again
Gay paree

If you've a soirée to spare

You'll see such gaiety there!
C'est la vie

Around the rue des beaux-arts
Where all the cabaret shows are
I mean, well, really, those are
You'll agree

What they mean when they say "gay" paree

The faubourg saint-honoré
Where all the millionaires play
Is also, I'm so glad to say
Gay paree

The rue de rivoli arcades
Where fancy goods are displayed
There's also bound to be rough trade
Gay paree

And in l'arrondissement eight
The champs élysées I would rate
Perhaps the one thing that's straight
As can be

And at the café de la paix
If you are heading that way
They drink a toast every day
Around three

They make each moment as gay
As le quatorze juillet!

That's what they mean
When they say "gay paree"!