E. Y. "Yip" Harburg (1896-1981) The lyricist was born Isidore Hochberg on New York's Lower East Side. He wrote lyrics for many successful revues ("Americana," which introduced his depression-era anthem "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"), musicals ("Finian's Rainbow," with the song "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"), and films (THE WIZARD OF OZ, featuring "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). His nickname, Yip, is short for the Yiddish "yipsel," meaning squirrel.