rivka's yiddish
  • Home
  • About
  • Translation
  • Genealogy
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Publications
  • Blog

Yiddish Folk Songs and Nursery Rhymes with a Nod to Chanukah (Khanike)

12/14/2016

20 Comments

 
Picture
The Barry Sisters on the cover of one of their record jackets with songs listed in Yiddish (courtesy of YouTube: www.youtube.com, accessed 12-12-16).
Growing up in a family environment in which Yiddish was yet another vernacular spoken language along with English, I was exposed from a very early age to Yiddish songs and even nursery rhymes, which were generally sung to and by my younger siblings and me.  Indeed, some of my earliest memories include dancing and singing along to records of Klezmer music that played on our record player.  The songs amplified on that old and overworked record player included Yiddish language singers that were especially popular (and several of whom are still musically active today) in the early-to-mid-1980s – musicians and vocalists such as Henry Sapoznik of the then Klezmer ensemble, “Kapelye”; Chava Alberstein; Dudu Fisher; Mike Burstyn; Hankus Netsky of the Klezmer Conservatory Band; the late Barry Sisters; and the recently deceased, Theodore Bikel (1924-2015).

It has been some time since I have heard those songs played with any regularity – and certainly not on a record player or tape recorder, for that matter – in our age of CDs, YouTube, and the like.  However, in recently surfing the selections of Klezmer music available today on YouTube, I am reminded of specific songs that were once so familiar to me – and likely very familiar to many of my readers, as well: (and here, I am using the most commonly used orthography for these songs) “Rumania, Rumania,” “Mayn Shtetele Belz” (“My Small Town of Belz”), “Der Rebbe Elimelech” (“The Rabbi Elimelech”), “Papir iz Dokh Vays” (“Paper is Still White”), “Oyfn Veg Shteyt a Boym” (“On the Road Stands a Tree”), “Tumbalalaika” (“Play Balalaika”) and a host of others that are simply too many to include here.  If you were to ask me which of these numerous songs I considered my favorite, I would be hard-pressed to answer you.  It really depended on the given day and my particular mood at the time.  And all these years later, I still feel exactly the same way.
Picture
Musical notes and lyrics of "Tumbalalaika," written in transliterated Yiddish (courtesy of Pinterest: www.pinterest.com, accessed 12-13-16).
PictureSheet music for “Mayn Shtetele Belz,” one of the lead songs in the musical, “The Song of the Ghetto,” c. 1930 (courtesy of Antiwar Songs: www.antiwarsongs.org, accessed 12-13-16).
My grandfather would often accompany these Yiddish songs with children’s nursery rhymes – namely, “Patshe, Patshe Kikhelekh” (“Clap, Clap Little Cookies [i.e., Little Hands]”).  I doubt I realized it at the time, but this is essentially a Yiddish version of the widely recited children’s nursery rhyme, “Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake”/ “Patty-cake.”

To honor the memory of my late grandfather and in remembrance of childhood, I would like to present some of the lyrics to the aforementioned “Rozhinkes mit Mandlen” and “Patshe, Patshe Kikhelekh,” as I recall my grandfather singing them to us, his grandchildren:

​“Rozhinkes mit Mandlen” / "ראזשינקעס מיט מאנדלען"/ “Raisins and Almonds”       
 
אין דעם בית המקדש,
אין א ווינקל חדר,
זיצט די אלמנה בת ציון אליין.
איר בן יחידל, יידעלען,
וויגט זי כסדר
און זינגט אים צום שלאפן א לידעלע שיין:
 
איי ליו, ליו, ליו…
 
אונטער יידעלעס וויגעלע,
שטייט א קלאר ווייס ציגעלע,
דאס ציגעלע איז געפארן האנדלען –
דאס וועט זיין דיין בארוף:
ראזשינקעס מיט מאנדלען.
שלאף זשע, יידעלע, שלאף.
 
In dem beys hamikdesh, 
In a vinkl kheyder,
Zitst di almone Bas Tsien aleyn.
Ir ben yokhidl, Yidelen,
Vigt zi keseyder 
Un zingt im tsu shlofn a lidele sheyn:
 
Ay-lyu-lyu-lyu…
 
Unter Yideles vigele,
Shteyt a klor-vays tsigele,
Dos tsigele iz geforn handlen –
Dos vet zayn dayn baruf:
Rozhinkes mit mandlen.
Shlof zhe, Yidele, shlof.
PicturePainting, “Chanukah Lights,” by Alex Levin (courtesy of Alex Levin Judaica Gallery: www.ArtLevin.com, accessed 12-13-16).
​Among the more memorable songs she instructed us to sing were: “Oy Khanike, Oy Khanike” (“Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah”) and “Ikh Bin a Kleyner Dreydl” (“I Am a Little Dreidel”).  These are the Yiddish versions of the perhaps more commonly known English: “Oh Chanukah” and Hebrew: “Yemei Ha-Chanuka”; and English: “I Have a Little Dreidel” versions. The noteworthy difference between the dreidel song in its various language adaptations is that in Yiddish, the singer is the dreidel, whereas in English, the dreidel is the object of the singer.  Not surprisingly, the song lyrics also reflect these differences.
​  ​
Let me close by presenting you with the playful lyrics to the perhaps less familiar “Ikh Bin a Kleyner Dreydl,” which were both written and composed by the popular folk song composer, Mikhl Gelbart (1889-1962).

Ikh Bin a Kleyner Dreydl” / "איך בין א קליינער דריידל" / “I Am a Little Dreidel”
 
איך בין א קליינער דריידל,
געמאכט בין איך פון בליי.
קומט, לאמיר אלע שפילן
אין דריידל – איינס, צוויי, דריי.
 
אוי דריידל, דריידל, דריידל,
אוי דריי זיך, דריידל, דריי.
טא, לאמיר אלע שפילן
אין דריידל, איינס און צוויי.
 
און איך האב ליב צו טאנצן,
זיך דרייען אין א ראד.
קומט, לאמיר אלע טאנצן
א דריידל קאראהאד.
 
אוי דריידל, דריידל, דריידל...​

​Ikh bin a kleyner dreydl,
Gemakht bin ikh fun blay.
Kumt, lomir ale shpiln
In dreydl – eyns, tsvey, dray.
 
Oy, dreydl, dreydl, dreydl,
Oy, drey zikh, dreydl, drey.
To, lomir ale shpiln
In dreydl, eyns un tsvey.
​
​​
I would like to wish all of my readers a Freylekhn Khanike – a Happy Chanukah – and festive holidays.  In addition, I invite you to share your own memories ​of Yiddish folk songs, nursery rhymes, and Chanukah songs that bear a special meaning to you or place ​in your heart. 
​
Should you have any folk songs, nursery rhymes, or anything else for that matter that you would like translated from the Yiddish, please do not hesitate to contact me at: ​​rivka@rivkasyiddish.com.
When my siblings and I were especially young, my mother – our teacher of informal, Polish-dialect Yiddish – taught us Yiddish renditions of popular English children’s songs, such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.”  I believe that she took her own creative liberties with these songs,” which in Yiddish translated respectively to: “Alte Yosl Hot a Farm” and “Tsen Kleyne Malpes Shpringn oyfn Bet.”  These were sung with special frequency during seemingly long car rides, along with the well-known, “The Wheels on the Bus” and “The Eensie Weensie Spider,” in an attempt to keep the crying of us youngsters at bay. 
​
In addition, my maternal grandfather, Sam (Shloime) Pinkus (1904-1998) of blessed memory, whom we called “Zayde Shloime,” would sing to us children in Yiddish.  Among his favorite songs were “Rozhinkes mit Mandlen” (“Raisins and Almonds”) and “Oyfn Pripetshik” (“On the Hearth”).  Although I knew virtually nothing about the background of these songs as a child, I subsequently learned that some of these late 19th century and early 20th century pieces stemmed from the Yiddish stage.  In the case of “Rozhinkes mit Mandlen,” for example, this lullaby was written by the Yiddish theater giant, Abraham Goldfaden (1840-1908) for his play, “Shulamis.”  ​
Picture
Sheet music of “Rozhinkes mit Mandlen” (“Raisins and Almonds”) for Abraham Goldfaden’s late-19th century play, “Shulamis” (or “Shulamith,” as it is presented here) (courtesy of John Hopkins University, The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection: goo.gl/bC1WPg, accessed 12-13-16).
In the Temple,
In a corner of the chamber,
Sits alone the widow, the daughter of Zion.
Her only son, Yidele,
She constantly rocks
And sings him to sleep with a beautiful song:

 
Ay-lyu-lyu-lyu…
 
Beneath Yidele’s cradle,
Stands a snow-white kid,
The kid has been to market –
This shall be your calling [as well]:
[Trading in] Raisins and almonds.
Sleep, Yidele, sleep.
​

“Patshe, Patshe Kikhelekh” / "פאטשע, פאטשע קיכעלעך" / “Clap, Clap, Little Cookies [i.e., Little Hands]”

פאטשע, פאטשע קיכעלעך, מאמע 'עט קויפן שיכעלעך, טאטע 'עט קויפן זעקעלעך, און [נאמען פון
קינד] 'עט האבן רויטע בעקעלעך.  


“Patshe, patshe kikhelekh, mame ‘et koyfn shikhelekh, tate ‘et koyfn zekelekh, un [child’s name] ‘et hubn [hobn] royte bekelekh.”

“Clap, clap little cookies [i.e., little hands], Mother will buy shoes, Father will buy socks, and [child’s name] will have rosy cheeks.
Since the title of this blog includes “a nod to Chanukah (Khanike)” – the soon-to-be-upon-us Jewish holiday – I would also like to recall here the tradition that my siblings and I had every Chanukah of singing in a small group of children at a local JCC (Jewish Community Center).  This involved performing various Chanukah songs before an eager audience of elderly Holocaust survivors.  Every year we would practice several minutes before performing with our conductor, the energetic Bella Korn – herself a Holocaust survivor – who at most, in heels, stood five feet tall. ​
Picture
Chanukah in the shtetl painting by Vyacheslav Braginsky (courtesy of the Alexander Gallery: www.alexandergallery.biz, accessed 12-13-16).
Un ikh hob lib tsu tantsn,
Zikh dreyen in a rod.
Kumt, lomir ale tantsn
A dreydl karahod.
 
Oy, dreydl, dreydl, dreydl…​

I am a little dreidel,
I am made of lead,
Come, let's all play
At dreidel – one, two, three.
 
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
Oh, spin dreidel, spin.
So, let's all play
At dreidel, one and two.
 
And I love to dance,
To spin in a circle.
Come, let’s all dance
A dreidel round dance.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
Oh, spin dreidel, spin.
So, let's all play 
At dreidel, one and two.​

Picture
“Oyfn Pripetchik Brant A Fayrl” (“A Fire Burns on the Hearth”) painting by Eduard Gurevich (courtesy of Fine Art America: www.fineartamerica.com, accessed 12-13-16).
20 Comments
Jeanne Gagnaux
12/18/2016 06:28:55 am

Thank you very much Rivka for these interesting explanations and for the beautiful songs. Ikh vintsh ir a freylekhn khanike.

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/18/2016 11:57:39 am

Jeanne,

You're very welcome. I am glad you enjoyed listening to the songs. They brought back a lot of warmth and memories for me. A freylekhn Khanike tsu ir, oykh!

Vareme grusn,
Rivka

Reply
Steven A. Ludsin
12/18/2016 11:55:01 am

Very touching and well written‎! You are very talented and dedicated.

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/18/2016 11:59:52 am

Steve,

Thank you so much for your kind remarks! Coming from a writer such as yourself, these words bear a special weight with me.

Best wishes and keep on writing,
Rivka

Reply
Brenda Ajzenkopf
12/18/2016 01:35:48 pm

Thank you Rivka and first let me wish you a healthy and happy Chanukah.

I am thrilled to be able to click on each song name in your email and listen to our beautiful Yiddish melodies. My late father was a chazzan and he always played his beloved music and cantorial records for us. Hearing this brings a tear to my eye but joy to my heart.

Reply
Rivka Schiller
12/18/2016 01:39:06 pm

Hi Brenda,

Thanks so much for sharing that background information re: your father. I am glad that my blog was able to help you relive a bit of the joy that your father's music and cantorial records once brought you.

Thanks again, and a healthy and Happy Chanukah to you, as well!
Rivka

Reply
Arthur Williams
12/18/2016 06:41:11 pm

Your work is so beautiful and full of both brilliance and Yiddishkeit.

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/18/2016 06:53:05 pm

Arthur,

Thank you -- as always -- for the magic in your words! I never question for a single second the fact that you are a writer :-)!

Warm wishes and a Happy Chanukah,
Rivka

Reply
Arthur Miller
12/18/2016 06:42:29 pm

We will celebrate Chanukah with (non-potato) vegetable latkes, the inner flame of the Maccabees and the Barry sisters ;)

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/18/2016 07:01:01 pm

Avrom,

I love that sentiment! Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate the festival of lights!

A freylekhn Khanike / Happy Chanukah to you and yours,
Rivka

Reply
Dovid Lowe
12/19/2016 07:59:25 am

Thank you for your newsletter. Such a rich culture and heritage. I have some truly outstanding original Yiddish recordings from Poland during the late 1930s. Great artists and rich heritage which the Nazis tried to destroy. I've used some of the songs in some of my Holocaust documentaries, which include: "Memory of the Shoah," "Ghetto," "Holocaust through Nazi Eyes," and others.

Reply
Rivka Schiller
12/19/2016 08:08:28 am

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Dovid. You're correct about these older Yiddish recordings. They are still so full of spirit and exude the culture, heritage, and history of Ashkenazi Jewry.

I also appreciate your sharing that information about your films. I hope my other readers take serious note of these titles!

With all good wishes,
Much continued success in your filmmaking ventures,
Rivka

Reply
Al in Montreal
12/20/2016 08:14:50 am

I remember these songs from my youth when attended Yiddish classes given by the Workmen's Circle. Thank you for bringing back these memories of my childhood. Regarding the song Mein Shtetale Belz, a recently recorded version of this song can be found on the following site:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrhHMtM8r8

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/20/2016 01:45:42 pm

Hello, Al in Montreal,

Thanks so much for writing in and sharing a bit of your fond childhood memories! I really appreciate the link you sent to this other version of "Mayn Shtetele Belz." There are numerous versions of the song on YouTube alone, so obviously it's a pretty popular piece.

A sheynem dank un "zayt gezunt!" (Thank you very much and be well),
Rivka

Reply
Mike
12/20/2016 12:34:36 pm

Great article! I self taught myself piano playing Yiddish songs for my European-born grandmother when I was 10 years old. When my reputation spread, then as a teenager, I organized a group which performed at the local neighborhood nursing home for the annual Hanukkah party.

This article brought back memories of my younger years. How I remember these songs! Keep up the good work.

(By the way, I recently attended a performance near my home by The Holocaust Survivor Band which you wrote about in one of your earlier blogs).

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/20/2016 01:40:01 pm

Dear Mike,

Thanks so much for sharing these obviously memorable and influential experiences from your younger years! I am glad if you enjoyed reading my blog and listening to the music links that I featured here.

Note: The Holocaust Survivor Band that Mike mentioned in his comments was indeed showcased in my April 2016 blog. The members of the band include Holocaust survivors, Saul Dreier and Reuben "Ruby" Sosnowicz. They are well worth hearing, if you ever get the chance!

Best wishes and a Happy Hanukkah,
Rivka

Reply
Irene Rogers
12/20/2016 12:43:57 pm

Thank you very much, Rivka.

I happened to know the Balalaika. Reminds me of when I sang in Russian. I have some cassettes. The rest I have to go over. Brings back memories.

This picture was taken in a Polish orphanage in a Hanukkah show.
I am second from the right. In front are 2 Hasidim.

Happy Holidays and Happy Hanukkah.
Thank you
Have a good year

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
12/20/2016 01:32:02 pm

(Please note that Irene Rogers wrote me outside of "Forays into Yiddish," and some of my remarks here refer to a photo that she sent me, but which I was unable to post here, due to technical reasons.

Incidentally, Irene is the author of the memoir, "Finding Peace is My Revenge," which may be accessed at: www.amazon.com and www.bookgrab.com. Please be sure to check it out!)

You're very welcome, Irene.

I am so glad to know that this little piece brought back some fond memories for you.

I would love to see and hear a Balalaika up close. I understand that it plays a very sweet sound and is similar to a mandolin.

Thanks so much for sharing that lovely photo of yourself and the other children at the orphanage in Poland after WWII. I am glad to hear that you included it in your book and wonder if you are still in touch with any of these other children in the photo.

A Happy Chanukah /
חג חנוכה שמח /
א פריילעכן חנוכה!
Rivka

Reply
Philip Shapiro
10/2/2022 02:58:16 pm

Hi, I have a humble request. I was born in Moldova previous known as Besarabia when under Romania. My dear late Mother used to sing me an Yiddish song when I was a little boy. I am know unsuccessfully trying to find this song and hope you may be able to help me, please. I remember only a couple of lines in Yiddish from this song which are,"Geegangen is a engele in feld tsvishn vanges und dort ot eir a feygele a feygele gefangen. Gefangen oib dih feygele ich will deh nisht uplosin, ich maich for dir a shtaigele from bloomin and from rozen. Tra-la-la. Tra-la-la-la-la-la. Tra-la-la-la-la.-la." I hape you will be able to find this song and email the words back to me. Thank you very much in advance. Sincerely,
Philip

Reply
Rivka Schiller link
10/2/2022 03:52:44 pm

Hi Philip,

Thank you very much for reading my blog and sending in this interesting query. Although I don't believe I am personally familiar with the song you remember from your youth, I believe you may be referring to "Gegangen iz a yingele" = "געגאנגען איז א יינגעלע." You are welcome to listen to this folksong, sung by Chava Alberstein and accessible at the following link (and elsewhere online): https://savethemusic.com/video/gegangen-iz-a-yingele-chava-alberstein/. Please, whenever you get the chance, write me a brief note to let me know whether this is the song you had in mind. I sincerely hope it is! With all good wishes, Rivka

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© 2016-2017
  • Home
  • About
  • Translation
  • Genealogy
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Publications
  • Blog