Avosi
A rare moment in time, I find I'm alone
My vision becomes clear, the world's on display
Sunshine streaming through the windows of my home
Just an ordinary day, yet it takes my breath away.
What did I do to deserve what I've been given,
I'm not a tzadekus*, not even near
I'm so very grateful for the life I've been living
My family and friends are what I hold dear.
Well it must have been it could only be
The merit of those who preceded me
B'schus avosi, b'schus avosi.**
A child of light, with a soul of flame
a fire's been burning, all of my days
It used to exist as heat with no name
Now it tempers my life in it's blaze.
What did I do to deserve what I've been given,
I'm not a tzadekus*, not even near
I'm so very grateful for the life I've been living
My family and friends are what I hold dear.
Well it must have been it could only be
The merit of those who preceded me
B'schus avosi, b'schus avosi.**
A calendar hangs near the clock on the wall
the pages keep changing, the hands won't hold still
some are grown, some are gone, we who once were so small but there's no empty space, that the young ones won't fill
What did I do to deserve what I've been given,
I'm not a tzadekus*, not even near
I'm so very grateful for the life I've been living
My family and friends are what I hold dear.
Well it must have been it could only be
The merit of those who preceded me
B'schus avosi, b'schus avosi.**
*Tzdekus = righteous woman
**B'schus avosi = in the merit of my forebearers
A Music Lovin Girl from New Orleans
Some say we are so different in our ways
But I surely give that myth a lie
Those Klezmer musicians from the old country I recall
Would feel right at home in the preservation jazz hall
Well I’m free to jam and tell you who I am
I’m a Jewish girl from New Orleans
I grew up in the music scene
With everybody playin all around
With that 2nd line New Orleans swingin sound, I really love that swingin sound
I’m an Eastern European Jew
who can play a blue note right on cue
I got a honky-tonk rhythm right down to me feet
And if a trombone’s playin well I think it’s a treat, yes a brass band is pretty neat
You may think that I’m all shy and demur, well , you’d be right yes that’s for sure
But covered from my neck to my knees
I love to hear those old time harmonies
My mama she danced with a parasol
Whenever she heard that music call
From way back in my family
It’s a part of my history, music is a part of our history
You could see my daddy’s tappin feet
In his hat store down on Rampart street
And brother’s in the marching band
with their French horn and Saxaphone in hand
During Mardi Gras they were really in demand
I’m a music lovin Jewish girl
A product of two different words
With a jazz band playin and klezmer is playin
I’m a music lovin girl from down in New Orleans
I’m a music lovin girl from down in New Orleans