Izzy’s Irish Rose

Izzy was a tailor down the Lower East Side)

The very man to top you off with dignity and pride

His mother wanted him to marry a Katz from Houston Street

A great big strapping lump of a girl with two big awkward feet

But Izzy was a cantor in the Synagogue

He kept the laws of Israel with the greatest of resolve

He didn't fancy Esther Katz, her pastrami left him cold

He wanted a taste of Irish love before he grew too old

He was looking for Rosemary, Eileen, Statia, Ann McKnowles

Ever after to be known as Izzy's Irish Rose

Forever and ever and ever young Rosie Ann McKnowles

Will be the queen of Orchard Street, Izzy's Irish rose

So, he went to Rabbi Hershowitz and he said "oh me oh my

I want a wife back home in bed who'll keep me satisfied"

The Rabbi nodded wisely, "I understand my son

I have an auld one home in the bed – she's a menace to God and man

For she never shuts up talking, morning noon til night

I have to go to the Irish pub to get some peace and quiet

So they sped off to the shebeen down Delancy Street

The Lord works in mysterious ways but he's usually discreet

For there they met Rosemary, Eileen, Statia, Ann McKnowles

Ever after to be known as Izzy's Irish Rose

Forever and ever and ever young Rosie Ann McKnowles

Will be the queen of Orchard street, Izzy's Irish rose

Now Rosie was the finest girl out of Sligo town

She had a head of red hair that stretched all of the way down

Past her lovely derriere to her gorgeous thighs

But her crownin' jewels were her smoldering opalescent eyes

Which she cast up at our hero sippin' his watery wine

Sent the power of Abraham coursin' down his spine

The Rabbi nodded, "Oh I understand my son

The Lord provideth many paths and yours has just begun"

So he ordered up two pints of Ireland's finest beer

With a couple of shots to wash 'em down and he said "I do declare

I hear the bells of heaven aringin' in me head

That goy would be a joy in any son of Israel's bed"

Izzy's sacred mother was beside herself with grief

'Til the Rabbi took her to the pub down on Delancey Street

Her eyes lit up when she heard the till go clangalang

"Oy veh, that Irish shiksa could use an honest man!"

So if you're down on Orchard Street and see some red haired men

They're all the seed of Izzy, sons of Israel to the end

But each and everyone of them'll drink you out of house and home

For they're sprung from the womb of Rosie, Eileen, Statia, Ann McKnowles

Oh you're lookin' at Rosemary, Eileen, Statia, Ann McKnowles

Ever after to be known as Izzy's Irish Rose

Forever and ever and ever young Rosie Ann McKnowles

Will be the queen of Orchard street, Izzy's Irish rose