Yosl klezmer (1939) derives its melodic archetype and style from folk tunes and dances of traditional eastern European wedding-band musicians (klezmorim), although the actual melody is Weiner’s own. The robust energy of this song, with its elaborate piano part and its expressive contrasting middle section, transforms the folk-derived character into a more complex artistic statement.

Editor's note by Neil W. Levin:

The poem contains an intermediate stanza that Weiner chose not to include in his setting.