[Verse 1]
So they paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel. a boutique and a swinging night spot

[Chorus]
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot

[Verse 2]
They took all the trees, put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged all the people an arm and a leg just to see 'em

[Chorus]
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot

[Verse 3]
Hey farmer, put away your DDT
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and bees, please

[Chorus]
Don't it always seem to go
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot

[Verse 4]
Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi come and took away my old man

[Chorus]
Oh, don't it always seem to go
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They put up a parking lot