Victor 17054 - Billy Murray - If It Wasn't For The Irish And The Jews 1912 - "If It Wasn't for the Irish and the Jews" is a song written in 1912. It was written by the Tin Pan Alley duo William Jerome and Jean Schwartz It's a Pro Immigrant song. William Thomas "Billy" Murray (May 25, 1877 -- August 17, 1954) was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century. While he received star billing in Vaudeville, he was best known for his prolific work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era.