Musical Nostalgia: A Yiddish Parody of "The Sidewalks of New York"

"The Sidewalks of New York" is a popular song about life in New York City during the 1890s. It was composed in 1894 by vaudeville actor and singer Charles B. Lawlor with lyrics by James W. Blake, It was an immediate and long-lasting hit and is often considered a theme for New York City. 

Many artists, including Mel Tormé, Duke Ellington, Larry Groce, Richard Barone, and The Grateful Dead, have performed it. Governor Al Smith of New York used it as a theme song for his failed presidential campaigns of 1920, 1924, and 1928. The song is also known as "East Side, West Side" from the first words of the chorus.

Today we came across a Yiddish parody called (what else?) Di saydvoks fun Nyu York. It was written in 1899 by Isaac Reingold and in this video it's sung by Randy Kloko and Jane Peppler.

If you don't remember the original song, you'll find it, sung by Nat King Cole, below the Yiddish version.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.