Lomir Ale Zingen a Zemerl Let’s All Sing a Shabbes Song traditional
I love Shabbat zmires, the long, long songs for the Shabbat table. They’re printed in every traditional prayer book and in the “benchers” that include the Grace after meals. Verse after verse about how to celebrate. Sing! Drink! Eat great food! The songs are in Hebrew, and here the child says, “Tell me, Papa, what does it mean?” That depends, of course.
Lomir ale zingen, lomir ale zingen Let’s all sing
A zemerl, a zemerl A little Shabbes song
Lekhem iz broyt, boser vedogim Lekhem is bread, boser vedogim
Vekhol mata-amim Vekhol mata-amim
Zog zhe mir, tatenyu, vos iz lekhem? Tell me, dear Papa, what is lekhem?
Bay di groyse negidim For the great wealthy people
Iz lekhem a vaysinke bulkele Lekhem is a lovely little white roll
Ober bay undz kabtsonim, oy, dalfonim But for us paupers, oy, down-and-outs
Iz lekhem a dare skorinke Lekhem is a thin crust of bread
Chorus
Zog zhe mir, tatenyu, vos iz boser? Tell me, dear Papa, what is boser?
Bay di groyse negidim For the rich
Iz boser a gebrotene katshkele Boser is a roast duck
Ober bay undz kabtsonim, oy, dalfonim But for us poor folks
Iz boser an ayngedarte kishkele Boser is a scrawny bit of kishke
(stuffed derma — it sort of *tastes* of meat.)
Chorus
Zog she mir, tatenyu, vos iz dogim? Tell me, dear Papa, what is dogim?
Bay di groyse negidim For the rich
Iz dogim a frish-tsapldik hekhtele Dogim is a pike so fresh it’s still flopping
Ober bay undz kabtsonim, oy, dalfonim But for us poor folks
Iz dogim a farfoylter heringl Dogim is a spoiled little herring
Chorus
Zog zhe mir, tatenyu, vos iz matamim? Tell me, Papa dear, what is matamim?
Bay di groyse negidim For the rich
Iz matamim a geshmaker tsimes Matamim is a tasty tsimmes
(sweet stew of carrots, dried fruit, maybe some beef…)
Ober bay undz kabtsonim, oy, dalfonim But for us poor folks
Iz matamim – gehakte tsores Matamim is — chopped troubles!
Chorus