Old Jews are familiar to me,
Sometimes you get what you see.
They came from the old world,
Searching out something new —
Old Jews are familiar to me.
American exception,
Undisguised deception.
Fool’s Fantasyland,
Grabbing what they can.
A plutocratic embolism,
Dreams jammed in the system.
Financial fears,
Unfettered tears.
Do you laugh until you cry?
Will you visit before they die?
Have you traveled far and wide?
Do you care what’s on the other side?
Were you looking for exemption?
Did you ever find redemption?
Do you chase a flicker of fame,
Knowing few will recall your name?
Old Jews are familiar to me,
Sometimes you get what you see.
They came from the old world,
Searching out something new.
Old Jews are familiar to me.
They sat at the table,
Said what they were able,
In Yiddish you couldn’t understand.
They spoke of life’s troubles,
Made peace with the rubble,
While you were still learning to stand.
You packed the van with boxes,
Drank to stay awake.
You sent them a letter —
A fax would’ve been great.
They expected you on time,
Not sure where you were bound.
A pit stop in Elko
Helped turn the trip around.
You dug through all the boxes,
Saw what brought you here.
Pictures evoked heartache,
Some still brought a tear.
You threw out old stories —
It’s all you could do.
Now you’re wrestling with capitalism,
And the weight of what is true.
Old Jews are familiar to me,
Sometimes you get what you see.
They came from the old world,
Searching out something new.
Old Jews are familiar to me.