Lomir Alle Zingen A Zemerel - Lively Yiddish Folk Song - Jewish Music - Yiddish Music (subtitles)

It is so important that Yiddish music and other vintage Jewish songs be recorded and preserved for future generations. Please support our efforts at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics . Yiddish folk songs are numerous, but this one is one of the most beloved Jewish songs. This Yiddish folk song has been previously recorded by such artists as Jan Peerce and Mordecai Hershman. The present recording features a new iteration of this Yiddish song classic sung by Marc Berman. The arrangement is based on that of the famous Yiddish composer Abraham Ellstein.

The origin of this Jewish folksong is probably based on the text of a popular Sabbath hymn that is traditionally sung at the afternoon Sabbath meal. The hymn refers to the food traditionally eaten on the Sabbath, including bread, fish, meat, and all delicacies.

Ellstein (1907-1963) worked with many prominent chazzanim (cantors, a/k/a hazzanim) like Yosele Rosenblatt, and their chazzanut (i.e., cantorial music / cantorial singing, also known as hazzanut or chazzanus). "Lomir Alle Zingn A Zemerl" lends itself to a cantorial style, which is reflected in the musical arrangement and in this performance.

Here is a rough translation of the lyrics:

Let's all sing a song of thanks for our bread, meat, fish and all delicacies!

Please tell me rabbi, what is "bread"?

For rich people, "bread" is a freshly baked
roll.

But for poor people, oh, the poor people,

"Bread" is a piece of withered crust, alas.

Let's all sing a song of thanks for our bread,
meat, fish and all delicacies!

Please tell me rabbi, what is "meat"?

For rich people, "meat" is a roast duckling.

But for poor people, oh, the poor people,

"Meat" is some lung mixed with a bit of liver, alas.

Let's all sing a song of thanks for our bread,
meat, fish and all delicacies!

Please tell me rabbi, what is "fish"?

For rich people, "fish" is a juicy trout.

But for poor people, oh, the poor people...

Oh the paupers!

"Fish" is watery herring, alas.

Let's all sing a
song of thanks for our bread, meat, fish and all delicacies!

Please tell me rabbi, what is "all delicacies"?

For the rich, "all delicacies" is a sweet appetizer.

But for poor people, oh, the poor people,

Oh the paupers!

"All delicacies" is chopped problems, alas.

Let's all sing a song of thanks (for whatever food we have)!

Let's all sing a song of thanks!