The main greeting from South Philly,

I don’t live there but I have been told, ain’t it silly?

Cheese steaks, pretzels, water ice and the Mummers,

All things to get and see in South pHilly, ‘specially during the summers…

Living down there, you would know, Broad street, Passyunk & Delaware Avenues,

Not to forget, as it is hard to do, Pat’s steaks, the best food for you,

Cheese whiz on your steak or real cheese, gotta ask, or you won’t get none,

Fried onions, sweet or hot, which way do “youse” take it, gotta get me some…

Damn this poem is getting me hungry; too bad it is too far to drive, especially high,

Oh you ask, what are the Mummers? A special parade for New Years day,

Used to be all men, dressed in costume and they do play,

All sorts of instruments, trombones, saxes and tuba’s, drums & trumpets,

All these and more with floats and carts and food on a tray…

No matter the weather, on New Years day, they play, while strutting up Broad street,

From south to north, ending at city hall, judging then takes place, boy, they have a ball,

Comical divisions, fancy divisions and others do their strut,

Each and every participant they work all year prior, to go and give to us their all…

                   © ed – 5/10/04