It Seems Like Only Yesterday

[Michael Kupersmith]

In memory of dear Phin: It Seems Like Only Yesterday...
Melody: traditional
Lyrics: Phineas Tobe and Peter Stromberg (1959)

It seems like only yesterday, a teacher at Latin School
Would be a Jew whom we all knew lived by the golden rule.
But listen to this, dear Senators, Phil Marson’s foreign borne;
An Italian Jew, a Sicilian too, his accent is long gone.
In the North End on Columbus Day, he gets a mighty cheer,
This noblest Roman of them all, he gets one every year.
He loves his native Italy and with a camp in Napoli
He hopes to set his country free from juvenile delinquency.
Meet Phil Marsoni, Tony Balboni, macaroni, cannelloni;
DiMaggio, formaggio, scaloppine, fettuccine,
Colavito, Aparicio, Furculo and pizza too,
Cappuccio, attenuncio(?), they’re all paisans loyal and true.
Shake hands with Philippo Marsoni, who is our dear Chiefie,
And if you counselors want to fight, sign up for Napoli.
A fight on crime will soon begin and this is clear to me,
You’re as welcome as tomato sauce on dear old spaghetti.