Father has a business, strictly second hand
Ev’rything from toothpicks to a baby grand.
Stuff in our apartment came from father’s store.
Even clothes I’m wearing someone wore before.
It’s no wonder that I feel abused.
I never get a thing that ain’t been used.

I’m wearing second hand hats, second hand clothes
That’s why they call me Second Hand Rose
Even our piano in the parlour
Father bought for ten cents on the dollar
Second hand pearls, I’m wearing second hand curls
I never get a single thing that’s new
Even Jake the plumber, he’s the man I adore
Had the nerve to tell me he’s been married before
Ev’ryone knows that I’m just Second Hand Rose
From Second Avenue

Each one in the family, kicks the whole day long.
Ev’ryone’s disgusted, ev’rything is wrong.
Second handed doggie, second handed cat,
Second handed welcome, second handed mat.
I think father’s head is made of wood,
He brings home lots of things that ain’t no good.

I’m wearing second hand shoes, second hand hose
All the girls hand me their second hand beaus
Even my pajamas when I don ’em
Have somebody else’s ’nitials on ’em
Second hand rings, I’m sick of second hand things
I never get what other girlies do
Once while strolling through the Ritz, a girl got my goat
She nudged her friend and said,
“Oh look there goes my old fur coat”
Ev’ryone knows that I’m just Second Hand Rose
From Second Avenue, from Second Avenue