50 Years of Hebrew Song

The Song of the Palmach
Words: Zerubavel Gilad

Though the storm is ever mounting
Still our heads remain unbowed.
We are ready to obey all commands,
The Palmach will win - we've vowed.

From Metulla to the Negev,
From the desert to the plain,
All our youth defend the homeland,
Till we bring it peace again.

In the eagle's path we follow,
Over mountain tracks we go,
Among stony heights and caverns
We are seeking out the foe.

When you summon us to battle,
We will be there first by day or night,
We are ready when you give the command,
The Palmach will march in might.

Friendship
Words: Chaim Guri

In the Negev, the autumn night falls,
And it kindles the stars in the quiet,
As the breeze rustles outside the door
And the dust settles down on the highway.

Time goes on, do we notice at all
How the monghts have gone by one byn one?
Time goes by, there are few of us left,
They will fight till the battle is won.
And so many we once knew are gone.
 
They are gone from our midst,
All their laughter, their youth and their splendor.
But we know that a friendship like that,
We are bound all our lives to remember,
For a love that in battle is forged,
Will endure while we live, fierce and tender.
 
Oh, the friendship we bore without words,
It was silent and grey, it was wordless.
From the pain and the blood of those days,
It remains with us, ardent and yearning.
 
In the name of that friendship we know,
In its name we'll go on, every8 forward,
For those friends, when they fell on their swords,
Left us this precious gift to recall them.
 
They are gone from our midst,
All their laughter, their youth and their splendor.
But we know that a friendship like that,
We are bound all our lives to remember,
For a love that in battle is forged,
Will endure while we live, fierce and tender.

Nameless Platoon
Words: Yehiel Mohar

All the valleys resound with the echo of song,
As they march on to challenge the foe,
They will fight, though the battle is bitter and long.
To defend all our borders they go. 2x

Let us sing to the nameless platoon as they march on,
Strong and firm as the granite, until their task is done.
For their soul is afire and their banner held high.
They will fight till the battle is won.
Let us sing, sing this tune,
Let us sing to the nameless platoon.
 
On the Galilee paths, on the shore of Eilat,
In the nights 'neath a pale desert moon,
There they march to the fight with their weapons at hand,
Let us honor the nameless platoon. 2x
Let us sing to...
 
The platoon in their splendor march on to their goal,
And their laughter rings out loud and clear.
Though their days may be weary and long are their nights,
They will guard us and keep us safe from fear.2x
 
Let us sing to...
 
See their youth as they move down the path one by one,
See their eyes as they march proud and free,
For the nameless platoon, as in ages gone by,
Still is leading us on to liberty. 2x
Let us sing to...

At Mount Sinai
Words: Yehiel Mohar

It is no dream, my friend, it is no dream, my friend
No legend, if you will.
Because at mount Sinai, because at Mount Sinai,
The bush is burning still.
And now our youth will sing
A melody of flame,
And at the city gates
Our Samson stands again.
 
Now the holy flame burns in our hearts once more
Tis the holy flame - as all the engines roar.
We'll tell the tale until the day we die,
How we returned to stand here at Sinai.
 
It is no dream, my friend, it is no dream, my friend,And all remains the same,
For from that time till now, for from that time till now,The bush remains in flame.
And still it's burning bright,
Within the minds and hearts
Of all the brave and young
As they go out to fight.
 
Now the holy flame burns in our hearts once more
Tis the holy flame - as all the engines roar.
We'll tell the tale until the day we die,
How we returned to stand here at Sinai.

Jerusalem of Gold
Words: Naomi Shemer

The mountain air is clear as water.
The scent of pines around
Is carried on the breeze of twilight,
And tinkling bells resound.
 
The trees and stones there softly slumber,
A dream enfolds them all.
So solitary lies the city,
And at its heart a wall.
 
Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.
 
The wells ran dry of all their water,
Forlorn the market square,
The Temple Mount dark and deserted,
In the Old City there.
 
And in the caverns in the mountain,
The winds howl to and fro,
And no-one takes the Dead Sea highway,
That leads through Jericho.
Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.
 
But as I sing to you, my city,
And you with crowns adorn,
I am the least of all your children,
Of all the poets born.
 
Your name will scorch my lips for ever,
Like a seraph's kiss, I'm told,
If I forget thee, golden city,
Jerusalem of gold.
 
Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.
 
The wells are filled again with water,
The square with joyous crowd,
On the Temple Mount within the City,
The shofar rings out loud.
 
Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.
 
Within the caverns in the mountains,
A thousand suns will glow,
We'll take the Dead Sea road together,
That runs through Jericho.
 
Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

The Kingdom of Mount Hermon
Words: Yovav Katz

All of the joy that we feel,
Bursts out in the hora we're dancing.
We have climbed on the wings of the wind
To Hermon with its beauty entrancing.
At dawn when the night speeds away,
The valley is flooded with light,
Damascus is on the horizon,
Gilboa's a wonderful sight
 
Oh, if only I could,
Bring you here by my side,
To hold you and hold you for ever,
And carry you over the mists and the cloud
To pluck shining stars in the heavens.
 
If you were with me today,
I'd give you a gift to remember,
All of the lights down below
From the Banias and down to Kinneret.
I'd hand you a kingdom of love,
That floats on a river of light
And out of the snow I would fashion,
A garment of soft, shining white.
 
Oh, if only I could
Bring you here by my side...
 
Together we'd glide down the slope,
And fly on the sails of the breeze,
We'd gaze at the beauty around,
And kiss and embrace when we please.
But you're far away from my arms,
I've only my gun at my side.
I've sworn that I'll build you a palace,
A palace here fit for a bride.
 
Oh, if only I could
Bring you here by my side...

Light and Jerusalem
Words: Yosef Sarig

The silence drops again beneath the skies of evening,
Just like an eagle swooping from the rocky hills,
And, like a flaming sword, the crimson sun above me
Is coloring the towers and the walls.
 
I saw a city wrapped in light
And all the rainbow colors rise around me,
And like a harp of many strings it gives delight,
I see a city wrapped in light.
 
And from the pine-treed hills, the shade is slowly creeping
Like a secret lover to the houses one by one,
And from the windows twinkle out in dazzling splendor
A thousand lights reflected from the silver moon.
 
I saw a city wrapped in light...
 
And now the night's last watch is ending in the quiet,
And in the velvet sky the last pale glow of night,
And dawn is reddening the golden dome of morning
With warm and tender touch of early light.
 
I saw a city wrapped in light...

Oseh Shalom
Words: Kaddish prayer

He who makes peace in His high places,
May He bring peace upon us
And upon all Israel,
And say ye Amen.
 
May He bring peace, may He bring peace,
Peace upon us and on all of Israel.

Let It Be
Words: Naomi Shemer

There's still a white sail bravely gleaming,
Though the clouds are black and low,
Everything we wish let it be.
And when at evening by the window,
Sabbath candles softly glow.
Everything we wish let it be.
 
Let it be, let it be,
Only let it be,
Everything we wish
let it be.
 
I hear the sound of people singing,
Bugle notes that fill the air,
Everything we wish let it be.
Above the fanfare and the music,
Let them hear my silent prayer,
Everything we wish let it be.
 
Let it be, let it be...
 
Within a green and quiet village,
Stands a house with open door,
Everything we wish let it be.
The summer's ended and the journey,
Bring the soldiers home once more
Everything we wish let it be.
 
Let it be, let it be...
 
And when a distant star in heaven
Lights our darkness from above,
Everything we wish - let it be.
Oh, give them strength and give them quiet,
Those we cherish, those we love,
Everything we wish - let it be.
 
Let it be, let it be...

Eretz
Words: Shaikeh Paikov

Eretz, eretz, eretz,
Land of cloudless blue,
Land of sunshine and of milk and honey too,
Land where we were born
Where we'll always stay,
We will be here, come what may.
 
Land we hold so dear,
To our hearts so near,
Land that we adore,
Ours for evermore
Land where we were born
And where we'll always stay,
We will be here, come what may.
 
Eretz, eretz, eretz,
Land of sea and sky,
Where flowers and children grow so high,
To the north the hills,
Southern desert wide,
And borders long and narrow on each side.
 
Land we hold so dear...
 
Eretz, eretz, eretz,
Land of the Torah.
You're the source of light and faith for me,
Eretz, eretz, eretz,
Ours you'll always be,
For the legend has become reality.
 
Land we hold so dear...

How Can I Bless
Words: Rachel Shapira

"How can I bless him, what gift shall I give
To this child" said the angel of love.
 
And he gave him a smile that was radiant as light,
And he gave him two eyes that were open and clear
To seek out each flower and each creature and bird
And a heart to rejoice in each day of the year.
 
"How can I bless him, what gift shall I give
To this child" said the angel of love.
 
And he gave him two feet that were light in the dance,
A soul to rejoice in each tune and each song,
A hand that collected the shells on the shore,
An ear to respond to the old and the young.
 
"How can I bless him, what gift shall I give
To this child" said the angel of love.
 
But those hands that were able to make flowers grow,
Were blessed with the skill to drive engines of might,
And the feet that could dance also knew how to march,
And the lips that could sing, also summoned to fight.
 
"How can I bless him, what gift shall I give
To this child" said the angel of love.
 
"I have given him all that an angel can give,
Two light dancing feet, and a song and a smile,
A delicate hand and a sensitive heart.
What else can I give him? I've given him all."
"How can I bless him, what gift shall I give
To this child" said the angel of love.
 
He has joined the angels, that wonderful boy,
He has no more blessings, no longer is blessed.
Oh, Lord, Lord above, did your angel forget
To bless him with life along with the rest?

Shir Lashalom
Words: Yaakov Rotblit

Let the sun rise up today,
Oh let the morning dawn,
All your prayers and all your pleas
Won't give us life again.
 
Now our candle's flickered out,
Now we're turned to dust,
Bitter tears won't bring us back,
Or wake us from our rest.
 
You can never bring us back.
In the dark we lie. No help for us from
All the songs of triumph you sing,
And the hymns of victory!
 
Just sing for peace, just shout it shalom,
Don't murmur like a prayer,
Just sing to peace, just sing it aloud
Let voices ring out here!
 
Let the sunshine filter in
Through the flowering wreaths,
Move ahead and don't look back
At those who lie beneath.
 
Raise your eyes in hope once more,
Don't gaze through rifle sights.
Sing a song to peace and love,
And not to war and fights.
 
Don't just say the day is nigh,
Help to bring it near. This is no dream now,
And in all the city streets
Just sing it loud and clear
 
Just sing for peace, just shout out shalom...

Shalom al Israel
Words: David Barak

Light the beacons in the street
And sing this song with me.
Tomorrow all our dreams come true,
We'll greet the day with glee.
We'll see a thousand doves of peace
Taking wing up high.
The sun will rise with golden light
Into a cloudless sky.
 
Shalom, shalom, shalom al Yisrael,
Imru, imru shirei halel,
Shalom, shalom al Yisrael,
Shalom, shalom, shalom al Yisrael,
Imru, imru shirei halel,
Shalom al Yisrael.
 
And when that golden day will dawn,
On mountain and on plain,
The soldiers will lay down their arms,
And never fight again.
They'll bring a thousand flowers instead,
And come in joy and song,
With all the girls in robes of white,
And join the happy throng.
 
Shalom, shalom, shalom al Yisrael...,
 
And if tomorrow peace should come
For all eternity,
From northern heights to southern sands,
We'll sing out proud and free.
And hill to hill will call shalom,
And light will never fail,
When that new day will dawn for us,
And all of Yisrael.
 
Shalom, shalom, shalom al Yisrael...

Halleluyah
Words: Shimrit Or

Halleluyah to the world,
Halleluyah, our banner's unfurled
Just one little word will sound out,
And I'll sing my thanks in a joyous shout
Till the world resounds with our halleluyah.
 
Halleluyah, that's my song
Halleluyah, let's sing it along,
Halleluyah, for you and for me
And what tomorrow can be, Halleluyah.
 
Halleluyah to the world,
Halleluyah, our banner's unfurled,
And from every valley and mound
All the bells will ring, what a happy sound,
And they'll echo out our song - halleluyah.
 
Halleluyah, that's my song...
 
Halleluyah, let us say,
Halleluyah, for this happy day.
Halleluyah, I'll give you my hand,
We'll sing out throughout the land Halleluyah.
 
Halleluyah, that's my song...

The Winter of Seventy-Three
Words: Shmuel Hasfari
Music: Uri Widislavski

We are the children
Of the winter of seventy three.
The first time you dreamed of us
Was at dawn, when the battle was over.
You, the bone-weary men,
Grateful for having survived.
You, the anxious young women,
So eager for love and for life.
And so you conceived us with love
In the winter of seventy-three,
To replenish with your bodies
What war had taken away.
 
We were born into a country
That was wounded and sorrowful.
You gazed at us, held us close,
Seeking consolation.
When we were born, the old men
Gave blessing with tearful eyes.
They said "Please God,
These children won't go to war.
Your faces in the old photograph
Prove that you meant it sincerely
When you promised to do your utmost for us
To transform enemies into friends.
We are the children
Of the winter of seventy-three.
Now we too have grown up to be soldiers
With rifles and helmeted heads.
We too know how to make love,
To laugh and to cry.
We too are men,
We too are women,
We too dream of babies.
So we will not urge you
So we will not demand
And we will not utter threats.
 
When we were little,
You told us promises must be kept!
If you need our strength,
We will give us unstintingly.
We just wanted to whisper:
We are the children
Of that winter the winter of seventy-three.
 
You promised a dove and an olive branch,
You promised us peace at home.
You promised us spring and blossoming
You promised to keep promises!
You promised a dove.

I Have No Other Homeland
Words: Ehud Manor

I have no other homeland
Even when the ground is burning,
Just one word ever turning
In my mind, into my soul,
Though wracked with pain,
I murmur again,
This is my home.
 
I must speak - for my homeland seems to be changing,
I can't be silent, I must remind it,
Sing although my heart is breaking,
Until I see that it's waking.
 
I have no other homeland,
I'll sing though my heart is breaking,
Until I see that it's waking.

Guard the World
Words: David Daor

Guard the world, my own laddy
There are things you mustn't see.
Guard the world, my own darling
If you saw them, you might cease to be.
Hero of the world, laddy,
With your soft and tender smile,
Guard the world with care, my darling,
Your father didn't do too well.
 
Guard the world, my own laddy,
Don't think too much of what's at hand,
My child, the more you know about it,
You'll find the less you understand.
And then the time arrives, my laddy,
When all the doors are closing tight,
And all the love around is ending,
And you are left to wonder why.

Fly, My Chick
Words: Arik Einstein

My little chicks have spread their wings and they've gone,
They left the nest and they're flying.
And we old birds have stayed behind in the nest,
All we can hope is that life will treat them kindly.
 
I always knew one day this moment would come,
And that we'd have to let them go,
But when it came, it took me right by surprise,
So it's no wonder that I'm feeling so low.
 
Fly, my chick,
And soar into the heavens.
Spread your wings and fly up there.
But don't forget
The eagle up above you,
Please beware.
 
The two of us are left alone in the nest,
But we will be here together.
Just hold me tight, and always stay by my side,
We'll face the future and grow old with a smile.
 
Fly, my chick...
 
Of course I know it, that's how it goes in nature.
When I was young, I did it too,
But now the time has come for parting,
And I must shed a tear for you,
Just one small tear for you.
 
Fly, my chick...

To Weep For You
Words: Aviv Gefen

The time has come to weep for you, my friend,
I need to mourn your leaving.
The pain I feel
Is like a door that opens onto grieving.
 
Forever, without end,
I'll think of you, my friend,
And we will meet again sometime, I know
All other friends I see,
Their light seems dim to me,
When I recall your radiant glow.
 
The tears we shed,
Flow to the sea and salt the waves for ever.
How sad it is
That all will pass away,
But yearning never never.
 
Forever, without end...
 
And like the waves, we crash forever more,
On the harbor and on life's shore
And like the waves we crash forever more
On the harbor and on life's shore.
 
The time has come to weep for you, my friend,
I need to mourn your leaving.

The Flower In My Garden
Words: Avihu Medina

The day we met was bright and clear, that day you won my heart,
And even then I knew full well that we would never part,
You are the apple of my eye by morning and by night,
You are an angel in my eyes, you bring me warmth and light.
 
I wanted then to ask your hand, I wanted to reveal
The secret love within my heart, the longing that I feel,
To say how much I love you and to tell you how I care,
But still I never said a word, because I did not dare.
 
You are my world at dawning, you are mine by day
You are my world at night, the love for which I pray
You're in my blood, I dream of you each hour,
In the garden of my love, you're the only flower.
 
And then one day you went away, and left me all alone.
I searched for you throughout the world,
there's nowhere left to roam.
I sought you here, I sought you there, and it was all in vain,
But still I dream that some spring day I'll find you once again.
 
For since you went my days are dark, my nights are gloomy too.
I try so hard to carry on, I've tried forgetting you.
Without your love my world is dark, for you I always yearn
The music's dead within my heart until you will return.
 
You are my world at dawning...

Praise Jerusalem
Words: Psalm 147

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem,
Praise thy God, O Zion.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem,
Praise thy God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of thy gates, 2x
He hath blessed thy children within thee. 3x
 
Praise, praise thy God, O Zion 2x

They'll Never Cease, Your Wonders
Words: Yoram Tahar-lev

A land whose garment's shabby, a land whose feet are bare,
You are the apple of my eye by morning and by night,
Oh, let me hear your music, my own beloved bride,
Open up the portals, and I'll give thanks inside.
 
Within the shaded forest where sun can never reach,
We'll put down roots together into the earth beneath,
Into the wells of beauty, the fountains clean and pure,
My homeland ever humble, a nomad proud and poor.
 
They'll never cease, your wonders,
Your song remains, I know,
My heart is at your mercy,
And whispers soft and low:
My own little land, you are mine,
You are my sister, my own,
You and you alone,
All that is left.
 
The fragrance of the village to our robes will cling,
The sheep bells in the meadow wihtin our hearts will ring.
And in the peaceful twilight with one soft ray of light,
We'll stroll as joyful lovers, we'll walk with naked feet.
 
They'll never cease, your wonders...

Hatikvah
National Anthem

As long as deep in the heart,
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And towards the East,
An eye looks to Zion,
Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free people in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.