I love to close a gathering with this song. No matter the time, the place, or the weather, by the time we’ve sung together our circle has become warm and glowing. I’ve chosen to open the CD with Arum Dem Fayer, to welcome everyone into the circle. This song introduces Lider Fun Amol in a very special way, because it features the elders of our impromptu singing group, Max Pressman and Shoshana Salamon, singing with my children, Shlomo and Sunny Enkin Lewis.
Instead of “Mirn freylekh tantsn“, we dance happily, Shoshana sings “Khalutsim tantsn” “Zionist pioneers dance”– for her, this song is connected to her life in Israel in the 1940’s.
Arum dem fayer Around the campfire
Mir zingen lider We sing songs
Di nakht iz tayer The night is sweet
Me vert nit mider We don’t get tired
Un zol der fayer And if the fire
Farloshn vern Goes out
Shaynt oyf der himl The heavens shine
Mit zayne shtern With their stars
To kroynt di kep So crown our heads
Mit blumen-kranstn With flower garlands
Arum dem fayer Around the fire
Mirn freylekh tantsn We’ll dance happily
Vayl tants un lider Since dance and songs
Iz undzer lebn Are our life
Dernokh in shlof And then in sleep
Khaloymes shvebn Dreams float above