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Copyright © 1998-2010
Leonard Ellis
All Rights Reserved

Sweet Whitefish & Pike

featured in
SingOut!
Volume 53 Number 3
Spring 2010

The Folk Process
by Faith Petric

 Lyrics sent by our readers: new words to old tunes
or snatches of a good song--different viewpoints, too.
Looking for a song for the Seder? Try this one. The author gives the background: "Back in the spring of 2001, when I was shopping at the local supermarket, I came upon a jar of gefilte fish from Manischewitz labeled 'Sweet Whitefish & Pike.' Immediately the tune 'Sweet Betsy from Pike' lodged in my ear, and I decided I couldn't 'pass over' the opportunity to write this little ditty. It has now become an annual ritual for me to sing it at the springtime meeting of Community Storytellers here in Los Angeles, Calif."

Sweet Whitefish & Pike Jar
SWEET WHITEFISH & PIKE
LYRICS: Leonard Ellis

SUNG TO THE TUNE OF: "Sweet Betsy from Pike"
Words: John A. Stone
Music: Old Orange Flute

Do you remember Sweet Whitefish and Pike?
They escaped from the lake through a hole in the dike.
They swam down the river and out to the sea,
Where they frolicked and played 'cause now they were free.

CHORUS:
Singin' too-rah-lie, too-rah-lei, too-rah-lie-ay

They swam to the south and they swam to the north,
They swam east and west and they swam back and forth,
They swam so carefree, they had no regrets,
Until they swam into the fisherman's nets. CHORUS

They cut off their heads and they ground them up fine.
With eggs and matzo meal they were combined.
Shaped into balls and then poached in hot water
Their relatives back home unaware of their slaughter. CHORUS

Packed in clear jars they were put on display
In the market where customers gladly did pay.
Horseradish garnish enhanced their flavor
When they were served at the Passover Seder. CHORUS