Ah, NOW I see it. I'm surprised I missed it before. here are the lyrics, from Pearls of Yiddish Song (Mlotek), page 173.

YOSL BER
(Itzik Manger)

Heysn heys ikh Yosl-Ber
Un ikh din in militer —
Oy-ra-ra, oy-ra, oy-ra,
Shtivl trog ikh, a mundir,
Lehavdl vi an ofitsir
Oy-ra-ra, oy-ra, oy-ra.

Geven bin ikh a shuster-yung,
Gelekt podeshves mitn tsung —
Haynt hob ikh a biks, a shverd,
Shusteray hob ikh in dr'erd.

Mit dem bezem iz mir gring,
Kh'ker kazarmes un ikh zing —
S'endikt zikh di bezem-shlakht,
Dank ikh Got, s'falt tsu di nakht.

Gey ikh mir in gas aroys
Un ikh zukh a meydl oys —
Gib ikh zikh tsu ir a boyg
Un a pintl mitn oyg.

Farbet zi mikh in kikh arayn,
Git mir bronfn, git mir vayn —
Zi git mir a bulke, fish un khreyn,
Oy, a meydl mole-kheyn.


Translation:

My name is Yosl Ber and I serve in the army. I wear boots and a uniform just like — pardon the comparison — an officer.

I was a cobbler's apprentice, I licked soles with my tongue. Today I carry a rifle, a sword, and shoemaking can go to hell.

With a broom it's easy. I sweep the barracks and I sing. When the sweeping action is over, I thank God that night comes.

I go out on the street and look for a girl. I bow to her and give her a wink.

She invites me into her kitchem, gives me brandy, gives me wine. She gives me a roll, fish, and horseradish. Oh, she's a girl full of charm.

-Joe-



Notes:
Words by the well-known Yiddish poet Itsik Manger (1901-1969). There are two popular melodies — one composed by David Beigelman (1887-1944) and the other by Henekh Kon (1898-1972) — both of which are presented here. They were transcribed by the compilers from recordings of Ben Bonus and Sidor Belarsky.
In some versions of the song, the last line reads: 'Un vos nokh — doszog ikh nisht.' (And what else [she gives] — I won't divulge).
During the Holocaust, the more popular melody by Beigelman was used for Khane Kheytin's song 'Ikh leb in geto in kavkaz' (I live in the Ghetto in the Caucasus), published by S. Kaczerginski in 1948. This melody was also used by Sam Liptzin for his song 'Vi der zeyger tut
klung' (When the clock strikes).

Tunes available on request - but not tonight, because I'm tired.

Here's a verse translation, from Anthology of Yiddish Folksongs from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Volum 7 Itzik Manger, page 193-195.

YOSL BER
Itzik Manger

I am Yosl Ber - you see
I’m in the mi-li-ta-ree.
Oy-ra-ra, oy-ra, oy-ra,
Officers and new recruits
Both look good in coat and boots.
Oy-ra-ra, oy-ra, oy-ra.

Once I was apprenticed to
Some old goat who mended shoes.
Aren’t my sword and musket swell!
Cobbling now can go to hell!

So I sweep the barracks floor —
Evening ends the broomstick-war.
Evening comes and I am glad
That’s the time for the soldier lad!

Now I’m strutting down the street
Till a maid I chance to meet.
Make a bow and wink an eye—
Maids with soldiers are not shy.

Leads me through the kitchen door
Gives me wine and schnapps and more,
Makes a sandwich just for me.
What a lovely maid is she!


English: Esther Cameron