I'm really sad to learn about this. I did meet Bob Norman in the late 1970's, and corresponded with him afterwards with regard to collection urban housing songs. Here's one of his favorite creations from that period with a few notes:

La Rosita de Broadway

When people are involved in a protracted housing struggle, it is heartening to have someone write songs which affirm the values that are in balance. One of the best examples of this has to be a song written by Bob Norman in the winter of 1978. Here's how Bob introduced his song at a tenants association benefit party on New York City's Upper West Side:

"This is a song about our neighborhood. All of the rent strikes that have been going on here aren't just about specific conditions in people's buildings; they're also about preserving the character of the neighborhood against the designs of the landlords here. I firmly believe that landlords would like to see the Upper West Side either be a slum or a fashionable place for rich people only. I hope that never happens."


Words and music by Bob Norman © 1978
With new words added by composer 11/4/81
In Sing Out!, Vol. 27, #2, pp. 22, 1978


La Rosita de Broadway


Chorus:

Ah, La Rosita de Broadway,
Ah, La Rosita de Broadway,
La Rosita de Broadway.

Caldo gallego with white beans,
Sausage and pig's knuckle too,
In the midst of the day in this warm summer rain,
La Rosita, we all come to you. (CHO)

The Dominicanos come in here to argue,
And the Cubans for el Capitan cigars,
And the warm, sharp tongue of the waitress,
And the sound of the Spanish guitar. (CHO)

Out in the rain the wars continue;
The lines are drawn clear and fine like knives;
Ah, but here there is peace for half an hour at least,
Such a fragile flower of Broadway. (CHO)

Charley Noble