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Es Gezunt!

from Manna by Shelley Posen

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To download PDF lyric sheets and credits visit: shelleyposen.com/lyrics/

lyrics

I used to feel so guilty when sitting down to dine
About how much I like to eat and where my tastes incline
But lately I have realized, as I pile my plate with food
That given where I’m coming from, I’m eating as I should, for—

If the Good Lord had meant Jews to eat healthy food, He would never have given us kishka
He’d have given us tofu, like they eat in Japan
He’d have made rusks and dulse part of our diet plan
He’d have never allowed us salami, chopped liver, corned beef, or pastrami.

If God had meant Jews to have healthy insides, He would never have made us eat matza
On Passover we’d eat granola instead
Or, you know, come to that, He’d just let us eat bread
As it is, we go all out of kilter by dining on fish that’s “gefilter.”

If the K’dosh Borukh Hu had meant Jews to eat right, we’d have never found out about flanken
We’d have had chicken soup and a noodle or two
But knishes? Forget it—they’d be strictly taboo
And we’d never have grown to adults if as children our tongues had touched shmaltz.

If Jews had been meant to be athletes and jocks, we’d have never been tempted by kugel
We’d have just eaten yoghurt and crispy rice cakes
And for breakfast some fruit with dry toast or bran flakes
And we’d all spend the night in de-tox just for eating cream cheese with our lox.

Now none of these arguments works on my Dad, who eternally hucks me a tchainik
Saying, “Son, you are digging your grave with your teeth
And we’ll have to sit shiva when you’re underneath—
This is not just an old kukker fibbin’; that’s what happens to those who fress gribn!”

credits

from Manna, released January 10, 2003

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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario

SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.

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