Truth be told, “Joshua the Pretzel Boy” was inspired by the song, “Eli, the Barrow Boy” by the rock band The Decemberists.
If you grew up in Kensington during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, selling pretzels may have been one of your major sources of income, along with shining shoes and collecting papers and rags.
Let’s do the math. With just two trips to the pretzel bakery, you can turn a dollar into $4. To put that into perspective, $4 in 1968 has the purchasing power of $34.39 in 2023, per the inflation calculator. Picture yourself as a 10-year-old during this time. A 3 Musketeers candy bar was a nickel. As the kids would say, you were living large.
Now with the exception of selling their goods, walking up and down the street, and having a passion for corduroy, Eli and Josh had very little in common. Eli’s wheelbarrow was filled with coal and marigolds, while Josh’s empty beer box was filled with pretzels, a dish towel, a butter knife, and mustard. Eli was trying to earn money to buy a fine robe made of silk and Arabian thread to bury his lover in. Joshua just wanted what all the other kids had.
Joshua the pretzel boy
Wakes up before the rooster
Sells his pretzels every day
Wants to buy his first computer
Mommy’s mustard and a butter knife
A kitchen towel when it’s done right
Keeps the pretzels nice and warm
When you tuck it nice and tight
Josh is wearing corduroy
Even though it’s summer time
Says it’s clean, it fits, I’m wearing it
What’s the difference anyway?
In the battle with our poverty
Josh walks tall and proud
That’s the Irish Catholic way
A Kenzo takes a vow
Computers came for Christmas
For most of Josh’s friends
But Josh’s dad was short this year
You know how it is
The morning brings the dawn
The dawn summons the soul
Throughout the streets of Kensington
Josh will sing his song
It’s music to our ears
A symphony for some
When you’re really hungry
Josh can be a godsend
Joshua the pretzel boy
Wakes up before the rooster
Sells his pretzels every day
Wants to buy his first computer
Editors: Siani Colón, Zari Tarazona / Designer: Siani Colón
