Isaac Reingold

Isaac Reingold (Yitskhok, Itsik, יצחק רײנגאָלד) is the pen name of Isaac Toomim ( תּאומים יצחק) 1873-1903), a Russian-born American poet, lyricist, and singer.

Born in 1873 in Oder, near Loytsk (Lutsk), Volhynia, Ukraine, into a Chasidic family. He received a strict religious education; his father was bitterly opposed to the Enlightenment and a fervent believer in brotherhood and equality.

His poetry and his couplets—often set to melodies of famous English-language popular songs—were popular with working-class audiences. He sang well and performed in concert halls and workers' gatherings. His songs were published in: Lider-magazin, Di idishe bihne, and Teglikher idisher kuryer. He also wrote an opera, Al nahares bovl (By the rivers of Babylon).

He died October 21, 1903, in Chicago.

Books Reingold's books printed by Chicago publisher Yankev Lidski include: Der velt zinger, prekhtige folks-lieder (The world singer, superb folksongs) (1894) A bintel blumen, folks-gedikhte (A bouquet of flowers, folks poems) (1895) Di strune, oyservehlte theater und folks lieder mit bakante englishe melodyen (The string, extraordinary theater and folk songs with well-known English melodies) (1896) Di nayeste reyngolds theater und folks lieder, gezungen mit englishe melodyen (The newest of Reyngold’s theater and folk songs, sung with English melodies) (1896) Der fonograf, komishe kupleten und theater lieder (The phonograph, comical couplet theater songs) (1896) Geklibene lider (Selected songs) (Chicago: L. M. Shteyn, 1950)