they paved paradise

and put up a parking lot

with a pink hotel, a boutique

and a swinging hot spot

don't it always seem to go

that you don't know what youve got

til its gone

they paved paradise and put up a parking lot



they took all the trees

and put them in a tree museum

and they charged the people

a dollar and a half just to seem 'em

that you don't know what youve got

til its gone

they paved paradise and put up a parking lot



hey farmer farmer

put away that DDT now

give me spots on my apples

but leaves me the birds and the bees

please!

that you don't know what youve got

til its gone

they paved paradise and put up a parking lot



Late last night

i heard the screen door slam

and a big yellow taxi

took away my old man

don't it always seem to go

that you don't know what youve got

til its gone

they paved paradise

and put up a parking lot