Solomon Levi

A good advertisement for a certain Jewish tailor, 1885
words and music by Fred Seaver

These interesting lyrics show a strong businessman who stands up for himself. Said to be a street song with parodies that depict Solomon and a scoundrel. It is part of the early college song tradition. Harvard had one of the first glee clubs and published this song in their 1866 songbook. It can be sung with The Spanish Cavalier because it has the same chords.

The sheet music:

Solomon-Levi – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment:

Solomon_Levi – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. My name is Solomon Levi
    At my store on Salem street
    That’s where you’ll buy your coats
    And vests, and everything that’s neat
    I’ve second-handed Ulsterettes
    And everything that’s fine
    For all the boys, they trade with me
    at a hundred and forty nine

Chorus
O, solomon Levi! Levi! tra la la la!
Poor sheeny Levi, Tra la la la la la la la la la
My name is Solomon Levi
At my store on Salem street
That’s where you’ll buy your coats and vests
And everything else that’s neat (tra la la)
Second-handed Ulsterettes
And everything else that’s fine
For all the boys they trade with me
At a hundred and forty nine

  1. And if a bummer comes along
    To my store on Salem street
    And tries to hang me up for coats
    And vests so very neat
    I kicks the bummer right out of my store
    And on him sets my pup
    For I won’t sell clothing to any man
    Who tries to set me up

Sung here by Fred Feild: