The Key

Music by Joseph Rumshinsky (1881 - 1956); Lyrics By Molly Picon (1898 - 1992)

"With You I am Good" is from the musical comedy, "Maz'l Tov Molly" (1950), written by Harry Kalmanovich and starring Molly Picon. Ann Hamblin arranged this rendition in a tango rhythm, which well befits the theme of fervent love. Rather than being a song for a lover, as one might expect, this is a declaration of a child's love to a mother - a Yiddishe mama.

Translation with the help of Russel Lurie, Evelyn Green and Blima Nudelman.

With you I am good, I want for nothing.
Mother, I love you, I love you.
With you I am comfortable. With you I have everything.
Mother, I love you, I love you.

Exactly like Moses, our Rabbi, I can also divide seas.
For me this is not enough...
Exactly like Samson, I've got strength.
When I'm with you every hour is like the Garden of Eden.
Mother, I love you, I love you.

With you, I am rich, Even just like Korah (Biblical charater who rebelled against Moses.)
Mother, I love you, I love you.
With you I can be honest, good and fine. 
Mother, I love you, I love you. 

In one blink of your little eye, I can do anything.
Like singing birds in the sky, I can also fly.
When I'm with you every year is but a moment. 
Mother, I love you, I love you.

A Bis'l Libe - A Bit of Love

Mit Dir iz Mir Gut

Music by Abraham Ellstein (1907 – 1963) 
Lyrics by Jacob Jacobs (1890 – 1977) 

“Our Jewish People” was first sung in 1941 by Miriam Kressyn (1910-1996), a formidable woman in the Yiddish cultural world of the US. Played during the darkest period for the Jews in modern history, it was recorded many times, yet the song seems to have been forgotten in recent years.  As such, it has been difficult to find an English translation. This one I have pieced together with the help of Cedric Ginsberg, Evelyn Green, Russel Lurie and Blima Nudelman 

Our Jewish people will live forever, 
and endure every hardship. 
The Jew survives, 
because of his strong faith and devotion. 
Nations have struck out against us with water and fire.  
But our passion still burns deep inside of us. 
Oh, our Jewish people will live forever,
And endure every hardship. 

Now a thousand years have passed,
since the Jew has existed in this world. 
Pogroms and trouble brought fear,
an attempt by man to oppress. 
From every corner you can hear the anguished cry of the Jewish people. 
Dear God, help your Jewish children,
and send them a blessing. 
Listen ‘o Israel, they shout out, G-d is one, 
God, we crawl to you.

Undzer Yidish Folk


Paul Robeson sings Hirsh Glik's Partisan Hymn, "Zog Nit Keynmol" at his 1949 concert in Moscow.

זאָג ניט קיינמאָל • Zog Nit Keynmol • Paul Robeson

I am multidisciplinary performance artist. Creating an album of Yiddish Songs has been my latest undertaking. I also sing in the Beit Emanuel choir in Johannesburg.

Mit Dir iz Mir Gut

Leigh Nudelman

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