English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
BAY MIR BISTU SHEYN Composer: Sholom Secunda Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs
Even if you had a Tatar complexion, ven du zolst zayn shvarts vi a toter, even if you had tomcat eyes, ven du host oygn vi bay a koter, and even if you had a little limp, un ven du hinkst tsu bislekh or had wooden legs, host hilt serne fislekh, I would say, “It doesn’t bother me.” zog ikh, “dos art mikh nit.”
Even if you had a foolish smile, ven du host a narishn shmeykhl, or were an utter simpleton, un ven du host vayzoses seykhl, even if you were as unrefined as a wild Indian, ven du bist vild vi an indiyaner, even if you were as common as a coarse Galician Jew, bist afile a galitsyaner, I’d say, “It doesn’t bother me.” zog ikh, “dos art mikh nit.”
“Tell me, how do you explain it?” zog mir vi erklerstu dos? Okay, I’ll tell you why: kh’vel dir zogn bald farvos:
Because to me you’re beautiful, vayl bay mir bistu sheyn, to me you have grace, bay mir hostu kheyn, to me you’re one of a kind. bay mir bistu eyner af der velt.
To me you’re great, bay mir bistu gut, to me you have “it,” bay mir hostu “it,” to me you’re more precious than riches. bay mir bistu tayerer fun gelt. Many beautiful girls have wanted me, fil sheyne meydlekh hobn shoyn gevolt nemen mikh. and from all of them I chose only you. un fun zey ale oysgeklibn hob ikh nor dikh. Because to me you’re beautiful, vayl bay mir bistu sheyn, to me you have grace, bay mir hostu kheyn, to me you’re one of a kind. bay mir bistu eyner af der velt.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
IKH HOB DIKH TSUFIL LIB Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Chaim Tauber
Now I am left alone kh’bin atzind aleyn geblibn with my longings, with my pain. mit mayn benkshaft, mit mayn vey. I have picked the cards, kh’hob di kortn opgeklibn and I seek my good fortune in them. un ikh zukh mayn glik in zey.
He has replaced me with another. er hot mikh farbitn af a tsveyter, He cannot understand my great love. mayn groyse libe ken er nit farshteyn. He’s going off to marry the other one, mit yener tsu der khupe geyt er, while I remain forlorn and alone. un ikh blayb elnd un aleyn.
Oh, who needs these cards. nu ver zshe darf di kortn hobn, For naught have I waited and yearned. umzist hob ikh gevart, gegart, My youth is already buried. mayn yungt iz dokh shoyn bagrobn, Fortune has made a fool of me. mayn mazl hot mikh opgenart.
I love you too much. ikh hob dikh tsufil lib. I do not bear any hatred for you. ikh trog af dir keyn has. I love you too much ikh hob dikh tsufil lib To be angry at you. tsu zayn af dir in kaas. I love you too much ikh hob dikh tsufil lib To be at all angry with you. tsu zayn af dir gor beyz, They say I’m a fool, a nar ikh heys, I know. I love you. ikh veys. ikh hob dikh lib. I gave my life away to you, kh’hob dir mayn lebn avekgegebn, My heart and my soul. mayn harts un mayn neshome, I am sick, but my thoughts ikh bin krank, nor mayn gedank Turn not to revenge. trakht nit fun nekome.
I love you too much… ikh hob dikh tsufil lib...
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
EYN KUK AF DIR Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs
General Vitalin: Vitalin: Ever since I first noticed you, zayt kh’hob dir derzen, something strange has happened. iz epes do geshen. What it is I stand here and contemplate. vos dos iz, shtey ikh un trakht. I’ll tell you simply: ikh zog dir gants prost, Everybody knows that because of you, zey veysn az du host I’m a changed man. a nayer mentsh fun mir gemakht. You have thrown a spark into me, and it glows. du host a funk arayngevorfn un er glit. You have now utterly disrupted my spirit. du host tsesht ert ingantsn mir yetst mayn gemit.
Esther: Esther: I cannot understand it, kh’ken dos nit farshteyn, how it could happen. vi es ken geshen. And it amazes me without end un es vundert mir on shier. that I, a poor Jewish girl ikh an orem yidish meydl with an old, ragged dress, mit an alt tserisn kleydl, should make such an impression on you. zol makhn aza ayndruk gor af dir. You always keep company only du bist shteyndik nor tsuzamen, with rich, beautiful ladies. mit di raykhe, shene damen. How is it you suddenly think of me? vi kenstu plutsem trakhtn gor fun mir?
Both: beyde: Just one look at you, eyn kuk af dir, mayn tayere! is enough, my dear! iz dokh genug, mayn tayere! You have already won my true love, du host gevunen shoyn, dayn emes fardintn loyn, and you will remain the crown of my heart. un du vest zayn fun mayn hartsn di kroyn. I know, my dear, that they ikh veys az undz beydn, tayere, will separate the two of us. vet men tsesheydn, tayere! But still the moment I first met you dokh blaybt mir, heylik der moment, will remain sacred to me. ven ikh hob zikh mit dir bakent. Just one look at you … eyn kuk af dir iz dokh genug …
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
A MALKE AF PEYSEKH Composer: Louis Gilrod
Passover is a joyous time; peysekh tsayt iz frelekh, the Jew is then a king. der yid iz dan a meylekh, He sits with his queen all adorned. er zitst zikh mit zayn malke, At the seder table along with the kharoysies [sweet ritual oysgeputst gants net. condiment] baym seder mit kharoyses, and the four cups of wine. mit vayn, mit arbe koyses, The queen lifts the washbasin to him in his “royal” chair. di malke heybt di shisl afn he’sebet. This king is so happy with his world. gliklekh iz der meylekh af der velt. He smiles at his queen, and he beams. er shmeykhlt tsu der malke un er kvelt.
He who has a queen on Passover, ver s’hot a malke af peysekh, is happy and joyful, that I know. dem iz voyl un gut, dos veys ikh. A queen like a doll, a malke vi a lalke, with her little princesses mit kleyne printselekh, in their holyday finery, mit yontefdike kleydelkh, with matza cakes and with matza balls— un mit khremslekh un mit kneydlekh. a queen on Passover is the best thing. a malke af peysekh iz di beste zakh.
Listen to this story—to what happened nu, hert zikh a mayse to a cousin of mine. vos hot pasirt mit mayns a kuzin. Hear just what kind of luck he had; hert vos far a mazl er hot, Oy, what a mess. a brukhe iz tsu mayne yorn…
He’d had enough of being single, genug gevezn single, so he bought a wedding ring gekoyft a "marriage" ringl. and married a beautiful girl. gegangen tsu der khupe mit a meydl sheyn. He fixed up a flat zikh ayngefikst a fletl, with a bed and a table, and prepared a luncheon. a tish, a "lunch," a betl. And this happened just before Passover. un punkt af erev-peysekh iz take dos geven. The next day after the wedding, listen to this, af morgn tzu der khupe, hert zikh ayn, she shows up with twins from her first husband. brengt zi im a tsviling fun ir ershter man.
Oy, now he has a queen on Passover, all right. oy! hot er a malke af peysekh He’s suffering and is in pain, that much I know. s’iz im vind un vey, dos veys ikh. A queen like a doll a malke vi a lalke, with her little princesses! mit kleyne printselekh. Now he has a problem with her, er hot tsu ir a tayne and he asks her, “What’s going on here?" un er fregt zi, “ma nishtane?” A queen on Passover, now, what do you think of that? a malke af peysekh vi gefelt dos aykh?
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
GLIK Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Bella Meisel
Now I stand and think: ikh shtey atsind un trakht: What a strong power vos far a shtarke makht fate holds over everyone. der shikzal hot af yedn mentshn. One moment it makes a joke; ot makht er zikh a shpas; then it quickly turns to rage. ot vert er bald in kaas. It can damn you and also bless you. er ken dikh shtrofn un oykh bentshn.
If it was up to me, ven s’iz on mir gevent, if only I could ven ikh volt nor gekent, change your strange fate, dayn modnem shikzal do fartretn. I would set you free, volt ikh dikh yetst bafrayt. renew your life as well, dayn lebn oykh banayt, and for your happiness I would pray. un far dayn glik volt ikh gebetn.
Happiness, you’ve come to me, glik, du bist gekumen tsu mir, but a bit too late. ober a bisl tsu shpet. Good fortune, you have arrived glik, du host gekumen and filled my heart with such joy. un farshaft mayn harts azoy fil freyd. I do not want to think now kh’vil yetst gornit klern what fate will bring me tomorrow, vos der morgn vet brengen far mir. so long as I have at least one moment azoy lang ikh hob khotsh eyn moment when fortune is in my hands, dos glik yetst in mayne hent , and I get to dance the last dance with you. un ikh tants dem letstn tant s mit dir.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
LEBN ZOL KOLUMBUS Composers: Arnold Perlmutter and Herman Wohl Lyrics: Boris Thomashevsky
America is a shtetl a shtetl iz amerike Where, I swear, life is great. a mekhaye khlebn. The Divine rests on her; es rut af ir di shkhinele; we should all get to live so. mir zoln azoy lebn. Wars, guns, or bloodshed milkhomes, biksn, mentshnblut we need like a hole in the head. darfn mir af tsores. Who needs an [imperial] ruler? a gubernator darf men nit, The hell with kings. a keyser af kapores.
Ay, it’s great, ay, s’iz gut, everyone sing along: zingt zhe ale mit: Long live Columbus! lebn zol kolumbus, Brothers, drink a toast to life—l’!ayyim! trinkt briderlekh lekhaim! Oh, long live Columbus o lebn zol kolumbus for discovering this new land! far dem land dem nayem! Be merry! zayt tsufridn, Pay no heed to the grumblers. gleybt nit in di trombes. Jews, shout: shrayt zhe yidn: Long live Columbus! lebn zol kolumbus!
For girls, America far meydlekh iz ameritshke is a great place, a paradise, a glik, nor a ganeyden, for boys here are plentiful like the sands of the sea, vayl boyz iz do kekhol hayam, a pleasure, Oh, what a life. a tayneg, oy a lebn. You don’t need a dowry, un keyn nadn darf men nit, The hell with matchmakers. shatkhonim af kapores. And if a chump wants to marry for money, un az a trombonik vil gelt, he’s liable to wind up with a wife no one else would marry. krigt er a moyd mit tsores. Oh, it’s good, ay s’iz gut, girls sing along: zingt zhe meydlekh mit:
Long live Columbus!... lebn zol kolumbus!...
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
A GUTE HEYM Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs
I have written many songs, kh’hob fil lider ongeshribn, but in my heart nor in mayn harts farblibn only the song of the old country remains. iz nor dos lidl fun der alter heym. It is full of soul, and it brings me great solace es iz ful mit neshome, un es brengt mir fil nekhome whenever I remember it. ven nor ikh dermon zikh in dem. A home is love, as everyone knows. a heym iz lib, a yeden veyst men ale mol. And one who has never had a home un nokh eynem vos hot nit gehat keyn heym keyn mol, feels a deep longing and realizes derfilt er aza benken un er nemt nokhdenken that only he who has a home is happy. az gliklekh iz nor der mentsh vos hot [a heym].
A good home is a blessing from God. a gute heym iz a brokhe nor fun got. A good home, whatever kind a person has. a gute heym velkher mentsh nor es hot. What can be lovelier vos ken den nor zayn liber than being in your own home vi in eygene shtiber together with your mother and father? tsuzamen mit tate mame zayn.
Life can be all right elsewhere, in der fremd meg afile zayn vi gut. but it’s nothing like home. dokh tsu keyn heym iz dos gor keyn glaykhn nit. Only life at home gut un bakvem iz dokh nor take ot dem with father and mother vos ken zikh voynen mit tate mame is truly good. in an eygener heym.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
NU, ZOG MIR SHOYN VEN Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs
Misha: Misha: You can trust me, du megst zikh af mir fartroyen, I will build a future for you. kh’vel far dir a tsukunft boyen.
Tootsie: Tootsie: Tell me when, tell me when. zog mir ven, zog mir ven.
Misha: Misha: You are my beloved, and you are precious to me. du bist bay mir lib un tayer, I would walk through fire for you. ikh vel geyn far dir in fayer.
Tootsie: Tootsie: Tell me when, tell me when. zog mir ven, zog mir ven.
Misha: Misha: There is no other woman in the world nishto keyn froy mer af der velt who would interest me, zol mikh interesirn, even if she should give me ven zi zol mit milyonem gelt millions of dollars and diamonds. un daymonds mir batsirn. If ever I should even come close to being oyb ikh zol a mol probirn unfaithful to you, may I drop dead. dir vern falsh, zol ikh mayn kop farlirn.
Tootsie: Tootsie: So tell me already, when will my heart will be quieted? nu, zog mir shoyn ven vet zayn mayn harts geshtilt.
Misha: Misha: So tell me already, when will my happiness be nu, zog mir shoyn ven vet zayn mayn glik farfilt. complete?
Tootsie: Tootsie: In the middle of the night I often abruptly awake. in mitn nakht plutslem khap ikh zikh fil mol oyf.
Misha: Misha: For hours I ponder what will become of me. shtunden ikh trakht vos vet zayn fun mir der sof.
Both: beyde: So tell me already when; answer me already and say it. nu, zog mir shoyn ven; entfer mir shoyn un zog. Just tell me when the date will be set, nu, zog mir shoyn ven vet zayn bashtimt der tog. when I will live to see myself standing vel ikh derlebn mikh tsu zen under the wedding canopy with you. mit dir unter der khupe tsu shteyn. So just tell me when, just tell me when, just say it. nu, zog mir shoyn ven, zog mir shoyn ven, nu zog.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
DOS YIDISHE LID Composer: Sholom Secunda Lyrics: Anshel Schorr Translation of prayers by Rabbi Morton M. Leifman
The Jew might be poor; still he’s very wealthy, der yid meg zayn orem, dokh iz er zeyer raykh, for he’s rich with spiritual treasures. vayl gaystike oytsres hot der yid zeyer a sakh. The Jew is patient; his faith in God is great. der yid iz geduldik, zayn bitokhn iz groys, Even the inferno doesn’t consume him. fun a brenendikn oyvn kumt er lebedik aroys. He is considered a descendant of kings, of honored men ruft im ben-meylekh, a yakhsn, a gvir, lineage and wealth, yedes land farshlist far im di tir. yet every country slams the door in his face.
He laments and he weeps; he can’t take any more. er klogt un er veynt, er ken shoyn nit mer, Even his laugher, oy, is mixed with a tear. afile zayn gelekhter, oy, iz gemisht mit a trer. When it sometimes happens that things go well for makht zikh a mol s’geyt im shoyn gut, him, dermont men em bald, az er iz a yid. the world soon reminds him that he is a Jew, un men git im vider a shtekn in der hant, and they again hand him his “wandering stick,” un er zukht a naye land. and he must search for a new home.
When their New Year arrives, all other people ot kumt a nay yor, ale felker biz gor, sing and dance until they drop from exhaustion. zingen un tant sn un vern azsh mid, But the Jew on Rosh Hashana sits in the synagogue un der yid, rosheshone zitst in shul, mit kavone with pious intent un hert fun zayn khazn an ander min lid: and hears the cantor sing a different kind of song: “hineni he’oni mima’as, “Standing in the presence of Him who dwells in the nirash v’nif!ad mipa!ad, midst of the glorious praises of the people of Israel, I yoshev t’hilot yisra'el. become more and more aware of the poverty of my boti la’amod ulhis!anen deeds and abilities and am overwhelmingly frightened l’fanekha al ammkha and humbled. Nevertheless, I am here before You pleading on behalf of Your people Israel, for it is they yisra'el, asher sh’lak!uni.” who have sent me.”
Enter the synagogue on Yom Kippur eve haynt yomkiper baynakht, geyt arayn in shul, and you will hear the cantor sing vet ir hern dem khazn zingen, with great emotion: dort mit a gefil: “We declare that any and all personal vows, oaths, “kol nidre, ve’esarei, ush’vuei, va!aramei, obligations, undertakings, or pledges that we might v’konamei, v’khinnuy’ei, v’kinusei, make as a commitment to God and involving only our [d’indarna, ud’ish’taba’yna, ud’a!arim’na, relationship to Him—that if subsequently the oath be ud’asar’na al nafshatana] forgotten or is not able to be fulfilled, then let it be that miyom kippurim ze beginning on this Yom Kippur and extending to next ad yom kippurim haba aleinu l’tova.” year’s Yom Kippur, these vows are abandoned and made null and void.”
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
But it also happens at times ober se makht zikh oykh a mol, that Israel is merry ven oykh freylekh iz yisroel, and sings joyously, with abandon, un er zingt zikh freylekh, on moyre, as it happens on the holy day of Simhat Torah: ven es kumt on simkhes to’yre:
“Celebrate, be happy on Simhat Torah. “sisu v’sim!u b’sim!at tora, Torah is our treasure, our honor. utnu kavod latora, Its value is beyond any reckoning. ki tov sa!’ra mikal s!hora Its precious worth is more than can be perceived. mipaz umip’ninim y’kara. So exult over this, our Torah. nagil v’nasis b’zot hatora It is our strength and our light.” ki hi lanu oz v’orah."
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
MIT DIR IN EYNEM Composer: Ilia Trilling Lyrics: Isidore Lillian
What was, was; vos geven, iz geven. now wipe away your tears vish oys dayne trern, and look toward the future. in der tsukunft kuk arayn.
Over bygone days fun di teg, vos farbay, I continue to brood, halt ikh in eyn klern, which causes me great pain. dos farshaft mir groysen payn. I was missing a life partner gefelt hot mir a fraynd in lebn until I met you. biz ikh hob bagegnt dikh.
Believe me that gloyb es mir, az far dir, I would give my life for you. mayn lebn vel ikh gebn.
You make me truly happy now. emes gliklekh itst makhstu mikh. I will sweeten your life. ikh vel dayn lebn farzisn, My love, I want you to know that. libste, ikh vil du zolst visn.
Together with you— mit dir in eynem, and other than you I need no one. un on dir darf ikh keynem. It’s my greatest joy s’iz dos greste glik, When I take a look at you. ven ikh gib a kuk af dir. Together with you mit dir in eynem in a fine little love nest. in a libes-nest a sheynem, You are like sweet wine bist vi ziser vayn, right here in my heart. do in harts arayn bay mir. Your face shines and glows like the moon. dayn ponem laykht un shaynt vi di levone, You are a gift sent from God, my love. du bist geshikt fun got mir a matone, neshome. Together with you, mit dir tsuzamen, as with my father with my mother. vi mayn tate mit mayn mamen. Say it, my heart and soul, zog neshome mayn, say that you will always be with me. zog vestu tomed zayn mit mir.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
MAYN YIDISHE MEYDLE Composer: Sholom Secunda Lyrics: Anshel Schorr
I have seen many women; froyen fil hob ikh gezen. among every people they are different. bay yedn folk zaynen zey farshidn. But none is as beautiful nor keyne iz nit azoy sheyn as a Jewish woman. vi di froy bay di yidn.
A Jewish girl immediately enchants you a yidish meydl, mit ir blik, with her glance. farkisheft bald in gantsn dikh. And if you just take a peek at her, un gibstu nor af ir a kuk, you feel that “Jewish feeling” inside of you. filstu a yidishn tam in zikh.
My Jewish girl, she is so pretty. mayn yidishe meydle, zi iz azoy sheyn. My Jewish girl, she has a certain Jewish charm. mayn yidishe meydle, mit ir yidishn kheyn. Her golden hair, her teeth like pearls— fun gold ire herlekh, di tseyner vi perelekh only a Jewish girl could be so beautiful. nor a yidishe meydl ken zayn azoy sheyn. A million dollars won’t help you find among other peoples ir vet far milyonen, bay andere natsyonen, a girl with that Jewish charm. nisht gefinen a meydl, mit a yidishn kheyn.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
SLUTSK Composer: Herman Wohl Lyrics: Aaron Lebedeff
I recall now my little town: ikh dermon zikh itster Where I first glimpsed the light of day— in mayn shtetele dem kleynem: where I was born and where I grew up, vu ikh hob di shayn tsuersht derzen, and how as a child I would go to school there. vu ikh bin geboyrn dortn, vi ikh bin dertsoygn, vi ikh fleg als kind in kheyder geyn.
Slutsk, oh Slutsk, my shtetl,1 how I long for you. slutsk, oy, slutsk, mayn shtetele, vi ikh benk nokh dir. Deep in my heart you lie, my home, tif in hartsn, heym du mayn, ligstu do bay mir, a cradle suspended on a string, and a broken bed, a vigl af a shtrikele un a tsubrokhn betle, yet you’re still dear to me, un dokh tayer bistu mir, Slutsk, oh Slutsk, my shtetl. slutsk, oy slutsk mayn shtetele.
On Friday night Mother used to light the Sabbath fraytik nakht di mame flegt di likht zikh bentshn. candles. der tate in besmedresh flegt zikh geyn. Father would go to the synagogue un fun shul af shabes flegt er brengen fremde mentshn and return with Sabbath guests, zmires zingen flegt men zeyer sheyn. and they would sing beautiful table hymns. slutsk, oy, slut sk, mayn sht etele … Slutsk, oh Slutsk, my shtetl …
1 A small market town of 500–10,000 people.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
SAMET UN ZAYD Composer: Herman Wohl Lyrics: Louis Gilrod
A pretty, innocent girl from a poor family a meydl, sheyn un umshuldik, fun oremen shtand, blossoms like a pretty flower. blit vi a sheyne blum. She gives herself to a wealthy man, git zikh iber tsu a raykhn man in hant, for she longs for glamour and grandeur. vayl zi dursht nokh glants un rum. The rich man buys her innocence for a velvet dress der raykher koyft ir umshuld far a samet kleyd, and her love for a silk blouse. ir libe far a zaydn hemd. He breaks her spirit er farshvundt ir lebnzaft, and satisfies his passions; er shtilt zayn laydnshaft, then he deserts her. dan vert er tsu ir gor fremd.
Velvet and silk cannot heal samet un zayd ken nit farheyln the pain and suffering of tormented souls. di shmerts un layd fun kranke zeyln. How terrible to sell virtue, vi biter klugnt farkoyft di tugnt to lose one’s youth for velvet and silk. farshpilt di yugnt far samet un zayd. What good are silks that bring suffering? vos toygn zaydn, vos brengen laydn? They utterly destroy innocence. di umshuld shnaydn zey tsum toyt. A cheap dress and a virtuous girl, a bilike kleydl, nor an erlikh meydl, people admire more dos iz mer geshetst bay layt , than velvet and silk. vi samet un zayd.
The ambulance is at the hospital der ambulans in hospital late at night hot shpet bay nakht carrying a girl elegantly adorned. gebrakht a meydl sheyn fartsirt. Her fate drove her to drink poison, gift tsu trinken hot der shikzal ir gebrakht , for a rich man had seduced her. vayl a raykher man hot ir farfirt. She was dressed in velvet and silk. in samet un in zayd iz zi geven bakleyd, Her face, however, was as pale as chalk. ir ponem, ober, blas vi kreyd. When the night glimpsed the break of day, ven di nakht hot dem tog derzen she was already dead— iz zi shoyn toyt geven, falling prey to velvet and silk. a korbn fun samet un zayd.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
HUDL MITN SHTRUDL Anonymous
“Oh Hudl, Hudl, Hudl, “oy, hudl, hudl, hudl, What’s up with your strudel? vos hert zikh mitn shtrudl? It’s delicious; I really love it. es iz geshmak, ikh hob es zeyer lib. I don’t need any meat or stew, ikh darf keyn fleysh, keyn tsimes, for I’ve had enough of them. vayl ales iz mir nimes. Oh Hudl, Hudl, serve the strudel. oy, hudl, hudl gib dem shtrudl, Serve it.” gib!”
I have a landsman named Dudl, ikh hob a landsman, heyst er dudl. who has a wife named Hudl, hot er a vaybl, heyst zi hudl, and Hudl-Dudl live together really well. un hudl dudl lebn zikh gants voyl. And Dudl’s pretty wife Hudl un zayn sheyne vaybl, hudl, bakes an outstanding strudel. bakt dokh oysgtseykhnt shtrudl. What a great pleasure as it melts in your mouth. a mekhaye mamesh az tzugeyt es aykh in moyl. Every Friday, when Dudl has a bit of time, yeder fraytik, ven dudl hot nor tsayt, he comes home to his wife and he shouts: kumt er aheym tsum vaybl un er shrayt:
“Oh Hudl, Hudl, Hudl …” "oy, hudl, hudl, hudl…"
My landsman Dudl has a boarder, a "boarder" hot mayn landsman dudl, who’s in love with his Hudl, iz er farlibt gor in zayn hudl, for she cooks him a very good supper. vayl zi kokht im "supper" zeyer fayn. And the boarder, as should be, un der "boarder," vi geshikt zikh, delights in the supper, mit der supper er derkvikt zikh, and he truly devours Hudl with his eyes. un er shlingt dokh hudln mamesh mit di oygn arayn. And when this Hudl serves the tea, un ven di hudl brengt tsum tish dem tey, he smiles and says to her: shmeykhlt er un zogt tsu ir azoy:
“Oh Hudl, Hudl, Hudl, “oy, hudl, hudl, hudl, bring your strudel to the table. tsum tish gib dayne shtrudl. It’s delicious; I love it so much. es iz geshmak, ikh hob es zeyer lib. It’s quite a delicacy, gvald, ikh hob es lib, as it goes down so smoothly. es iz dokh gut a maykhl. Oh Hudl, Hudl, Hudl, give the strudel, vayl es tzugeyt in baykhl. give it already!” oy, hudl, hudl, gib dem shtrudl, gib gib shoyn!”
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
UNTER BEYMER Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Moishe Oysher
Beneath the trees the grass grows, unter beymer vaksn grozn, Ay-lu-lu-lu-lu … ay-lu-lu-lu lu, And the harsh winds blow. un di beyze vintn blozn, Sleep, my little son. shlof zshe, zunenyu.
Do not sit beside the window, my child, zits, mayn kind, nit bay dem fentster, for you can feel the draft there, vayl du kenst dem vint derfiln; and I do not want you, my beautiful one, un ikh vil nit, du, mayn shenster, to catch a cold, God forbid. zolst kholile zikh farkiln.
Dark clouds already fill the sky, himl iz shoyn khmarne shvarts, just as here in my heart. punkt azoy vi do bay mir in harts.
Beneath the trees the grass grows... unter beymer vaksn grozn…
Ay-lu-lu, ay-lu-lu … ay-lu-lu, ay-lu- lu, Sleep, my child, oh my heart. shlof zshe, mayn kind, oy, harts mayns. Ay-lu-lu, ay-lu-lu … ay-lu-lu, ay-lu- lu, Stay healthy and be well. blayb mir gezunt.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
IKH BIN FARLIBT Composer: Alexander Olshanetsky Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs
Fanitshke: Fanitshke: You evoke for me an idyllic scene, dos, vos du dermonst mikh itst, iz a getlekh bild. I now have in my heart such a longing for home. az ikh hob do in hartsn aza benkenish derfilt. I long for those meadows there, with their green grass. es benkt zikh nokh di lonkes dort mit dem grinem groz, Oh, what I would give to gaze at them again. oy, vi volt ikh nokh a mol gevolt onkukn dos.
Leybke: Leybke: How the ducks on their bellies would swim in the vi katshkes af di baykhlekh shvimen in di taykhlekh, streams, khapn brekelekh un vern gor nit mid. catch crumbs and not tire. mir flegn beyde zitsn zumer in di hitzn, We both used to sit in the summer heat, tsugetuliyet zingendik dos lid: cuddled together, singing this song:
Both: “I’m in love with a pretty, lovely, sweet little girl. “ikh bin farlibt, in a kleyn sheyn, zis, lib, meydle, I’m in love, for you are really so refined. ikh bin farlibt, vayl du bist dokh aza eydele. Every smile and every glance of yours dayn yeder shmeykhl un dayn yeder blik, bring my heart much happiness and joy. brengt mir in hartsn arayn fil freyd un glik. I’m in love, I’m in love ikh bin farlibt, ikh bin farlibt, with such a pretty girl.” in aza sheyn meydle vi du.”
Just tell me, my Fanitshke, zog mir nor, mayn fanitshke, do you still remember how beautifully gedenkstu nokh vi sheyn, the sun would reflect on the river when it set? vi di zun flegt zikh opshpigln afn taykh baym How a beautiful, sweet sound used to emanate from untergeyn? the woods? fun velder flegt zikh hern nokh a sheyne ziser klang? That was a divine song from the birds. dos iz geven fun feygelkh a getlikher gezang.
Fanitshke: Fanitshke: The nightingale used to trill and delight in us, di nakhtigal flegt treln un fun undz onkveln, and he used to sing his sweet tones without end. zingen tener zis gor on shier. He would listen to the two of us with much joy er flegt ful mit freydn, undz oyshern beydn, and then sing, perfectly mimicking us. un dan zingen punkt azoy vi mir.
English Translation and Transliteration of Yiddish Lyrics from the Milken Archive/Naxos American Classics CD Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Volume 2 8.559432
Translations and Transliterations by Eliyahu Mishulovin Preliminary Preparation by Adam J. Levitin
SKRIP, KLEZMERL, SKRIPE Composer: Sholom Secunda Lyrics: Chaim Tauber
Rearing children, now that is a wonder, oyftsutsien kinder, ot dos iz a vunder much more so than just giving birth. fil mer vi geboyrn zayn aleyn. Neither day nor night kh’hob dokh tog un nakht did I rest my eyes, mit keyn oyg nit tsugemakht, until I lived to see you all grown up. biz ikh hob derlebt dikh groys tsu zen.
Now I will drink like a fish kh’vel trinken vi a fish, and dance by the wedding canopy. un vel tantsn bay der khupe. I say it plain and clear, kh’zog es yasne veyavne: I will jump up onto the table kh’vel shpringen afn tish and celebrate wildly like the closest relation. un komandeven vi a mekhutn a glavne.
Fiddle, klezmer, scrape away. skrip klezmerl, skripe! Play a freylekh [cheerful tune] for the wedding. shpil a freylekhs tsu der khupe The faces of all the s’laykht a yeder ponem relatives are shining; fun di mekhutonim. let’s go to the !upa [wedding canopy]. tsu der khupe lomir geyn
Drummer, strike the cymbals. klop, poyker in di tatsn Fiddler, let the strings split. fidler, zoln strunes platsn Everyone is merry. freylekh zaynen ale Just look at the bride. kukt nor on di kale She is so full of grace. zi iz mole kheyn. Oy, oy, more, livelier. oy, oy, shtarker, beser Make the circle bigger. makht dos redl greser
Oy, oy, bring the bride into the dance. oy, oy, nemt arayn di kale in dem kon Oy, look at Aunt Leah; oy, kukt on di mume leya. she’s telling everyone what to do. zi zogt yedern a deya. And Aunt Masha, un di mume mashe who doesn’t let herself be pushed around, lozt nit shpayen in kashe. is pushing to the head of the table. shtupt zikh oybn on Mazel tov! mazltov!