LYRIC
ANSHEI KARTOFUL- Sung & Composed by Shmuel Kunda- When Zaidy Was Young 2
Oh, I’m a little shul on the lower East Side
My walls are not very wide,
But I fit every Yid in the neighborhood
Who come to daven inside.
Siddurim are stacked where the walls are cracked
and the pipes drip into a pail,
The tables creak and the benches squeak
While you’re sitting on a nail.
My sign is tipped and my steps are chipped
As you walk up to the door,
and a nice old Yid gave the ner tomid in 1874.
When it’s cold outside on the old East Side
They come from far and near,
In a snow or storm, all the prayers are warm
In my friendly atmosphere.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.
(x2)
Oh, I’m a little shul on the lower East Side
Where strangers feel at home,
‘Cause even if you’re not from the neighborhood
You’re greeted with a Shalom.
They give an aliyah to every guest
On ancient Torah scrolls,
Ans a talis that’s older than you and me
With not too many holes.
Anshei Kartoful, where it’s comfortable
and there’s room for everyone,
Hang your coat on a hook, take a Jewish book
and catch the next minyan.
When it’s cold outside on the old East Side
They come from far and near,
In a snow or storm, all the prayers are warm
In my friendly atmosphere.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.
(x2)
Two wooden lions welcome everyone in
From above the Torah Ark,
Inviting them all to join a shiur
and grab a holy spark.
Every Shabbos there’s a Kiddush in shul
With cake “mit ah gleizele shnapps”,
Ah shtikeleh herring for the older folks
While the kids get lolly pops.
I’ve been here so long
But I’m going strong
Inside my little room,
T’s a familiar spot
A Mikdash Me’at
Near Hester Street and Broome.
When it’s cold outside on the old East Side
They come from far and near,
In a snow or storm, all the prayers are warm
In my friendly atmosphere.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.
(x2)