Palesteena
"Palesteena", or, "Lena from Palesteena", was a 1920 song, with lyrics by Con Conrad, and music by J. Russell Robinson.
Background
It was originally recorded and performed by the Original Dixieland Jass Band, a band of New Orleans jazz musicians, who released it as an instrumental as a Victor 78, 18717-B, in 1920. The A side was "Margie", a jazz and pop standard, paired in a medley with "Singin' the Blues". J. Russel Robinson, the pianist in the ODJB, co-wrote the music for all three songs.
The melody has a strong Klezmer influence, with the chorus based on a phrase from "Nokh A Bisl" by J. Kammen.
"Lena from Palesteena" is one of a number of novelty songs of the era with a near-Eastern theme.
The song was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company in New York in 1920.
Other Recordings
Eddie Cantor and Frank Crumit also recorded the song. Bob Crosby recorded the song on Decca Records in 1938. Vincent Lopez recorded the song on Columbia Records.
Lyrics
In the Bronx of New York City
Lived a girl, she's not so pretty;
Lena is her name.
Such a clever girl is Lena!
How she played her concertina,
Really, it's a shame.
She's such a good musician
She got a swell position
To go across the sea to entertain.
And so they shipped poor Lena
Way out to Palesteena
From what they tell me, she don't look the same.
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Wind And Rain
by: BluestoneIt was 2am when I hit town again
And I jumped off the big freight train
As quiet as a mouse
I went to Bony’s house
And I tapped on the window pane
She said come on in you look soaked through the skin
Get out of the wind and rain
She sat on her bed and she smiled and she said
It’s good to have you back again
Turn out the light make the most of the night
I’m only here til morning
Then I must go from the fire light glow
The wind and the rain are calling
Bony wept tears of joy for her long lost boy
Down on her bending knee
I was tempted to stay
But the very next day
I knew it could never be
So I got up slow said I really gotta go
Going back to the wind and rain
But Bony sleep light some cold rainy night
You know I’m coming back again
Turn out the light make the most of the night
I’m only here til morning
Then I must go from the fire light glow
The wind and the rain are calling
Turn out the light make the most of the night
I’m only here til morning
Then I must go from the fire light glow
The wind and the rain are calling
Turn out the light make the most of the night
I’m only here til morning
Then I must go from the fire light glow
The wind and the rain are calling
Turn out the light make the most of the night
I’m only here til morning
Then I must go from the fire light glow