Palesteena (song)

"Palesteena", or, "Lena from Palesteena", was a 1920 song, with lyrics by Con Conrad, and music by J. Russell Robinson.

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".

The melody has a strong Klezmer influence.

Lena from Palesteena is one of a number of novelty songs of the era with a near-Eastern theme.

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.

They say that Lena is the Queen o' Palesteena Just because she plays the concertina. She only knows one song, She plays it all day long. Sometimes she plays it wrong, But still they love it, want more of it.

I heard her play once or twice. Oh! Murder! Still, it was nice. All the girls, they dress like Lena. Some wear oatmeal, some Farina Down old Palesteena way.

Lena's girlfriend Arabella Let her meet an Arab fella Who she thought was grand. On a camel's back a-swaying You could hear Miss Lena playing Over the desert sand. She didn't know the new ones All she knew were blue ones And Yusef sat and listened all day long (or: Till Yusef sat and listened in his tent) And as he tried to kiss her You heard that Arab whisper, "Oh Lena, how I love to hear your song!" (or: "Oh Lena, how I love your instrument!")

They say that Lena is the Queen o' Palesteena 'Cause she shakes a wicked concertina. She plays it day and night She plays with all her might She never gets it right, You think it's funny, Gets her money.

There's nothin' sounds like it should. So rotten, it's really good. While the Arabs danced so gaily She would practice aily-aily Down old Palesteena way. Lena, she's the Queen o' Palesteena. Goodness, how they love her concertina. Each movement of her wrist Just makes them shake and twist; They simply can't resist. How they love it Want more of it. When she squeeks That squeeze-box stuff, All those sheiks Just can't get enough. She got fat but she got leaner (pr. "lee-na") Pushing on her concertina Down old Palesteena way.