Ride 'Em Jewboy

Over at Jewhoo, there is an interesting article on Jewish pop stars who, then or now, have reaffirmed their Judaism. It amazes me that, in eight pages, they don't mention Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys.

On the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, it might be fitting for us to remember Friedman's "Ride 'em Jewboy," arguably the greatest (possibly the only) country song about the Holocaust.

Now the smoke from camps are rising
See the helpless creatures on their way
Well, old pal, ain't it surprising
How far you can go before you stay

Do not let the morning blind you
When on your sleeve you wore the yellow star
Old memories still live behind you
Can't you see by your outfit who you are

(That last line, I presume, is a reference to "Streets of Laredo": "I can see by your outfit that you are a cowboy.")

Also let us not forget the rollicking "They Ain't Makin' Jews like Jesus Anymore":

Ah, they ain't makin' Jews like Jesus anymore,
We don't turn the other cheek the way we done before
You could hear that honky holler as he hit that hardwood floor
Lord, they ain't makin' Jews like Jesus anymore!

Next week Kinky will announce that he is running for Governor of Texas. More information here.