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Second Hand Rose    (1921)

Father has a business, strictly second hand
Everything from toothpicks to a baby-grand
Stuff in our apartment came from father's store
Even things I'm wearing someone wore before

It's no wonder that I feel abused
I never have a thing that ain't been used
I'm wearing second hand hats
Second hand clothes
That's why they call me
Second Hand Rose

Even our piano in the parlor
Father bought for ten cents on the dollar

Second hand pearls
I'm wearing second hand curls
I never get a single thing that's new
Even Jake, the plumber,
He's the man I adore
He had the nerve to tell me
He's been married before!

Everyone knows that I'm just
Second Hand Rose
From Second Avenue!

Each one in the fam'ly kicks the whole day long
Ev'ryone's disgusted, ev'rything is wrong
Second hand doggie, second handed cat
Second handed welcome, second handed mat

I think father's head is made of wood
He brings home lots of things that ain't no good
I'm wearing second hand shoes, second hand hose
All the girls hand me their second hand beaux

Even my pajamas when I don 'em
Have somebody else's 'nitials on 'em

Second hand rings, I'm sick of second hand things
I never get what other girlies do
Once while strolling through the Ritz
A girl got my goat
She nudged her friend and said
"Oh look, there's my old fur coat"

Everyone knows that I'm just
Second Hand Rose
From Second Avenue!
From Second Avenue!

Lyrics by Grant Clarke.
Composed by James F. Hanley.
Recorded by Fanny Brice.
Written for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1921.
 

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