Jeff Schiff

Myself at your age I made $25 piecework a week $17 overtime 
        Once in a while Papa and I 
              also took on the side a tuxedo  

or—you should pardon the expression— 
        a christening ensemble 
             You think there is in this life always 

 an easy choice 
         Listen we are in America 
                 Baruch Hashem 

 because it was available steerage 
           and your grandfather knew a man 
                 From nothing we saved passage 

 Tante Rose we helped too 
         Not that she would at first listen 
                But what is without family 

 And why else are we here 
          You think there is some pleasure in bending 
                 nakht aun tog 

over Peter Pan collars 
         and novelty button holes— 
                 Shabbos too don’t forget 

 (oh sure for this we got double) 
               but how much betrayal 
                  is worth an extra few dollars 

 But enough already 
        Life is to enjoy 
           Simcha for everybody 

 Could it hurt for once 
            bigshot wiseguy knowfromeverything 
                  to pay attention with your heart 

 Wait and see 
        One day you’ll do for your own the same 
            What else 

It is our pleasure