Erev Shel Shoshanim
(Evening of Roses)

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to "Erev Shel Shoshanim", a beautiful song that is widely used by dancers for veil work. Although originally released in Hebrew, the song is popular throughout the Middle East. In Arabic-speaking countries it is known as "Yarus", and Armenian lyrics have also been written for it using a song title of "Vartér". (The translation for the Armenian lyrics appears elsewhere on this web site.) Also included is a transliteration of the Hebrew lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.

Lyrics: Moshe Dor
Music: Yosef Haddar

Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song

	Sung by Mimi Spencer & Mary Ellen Donald
	Performed on harp by Rachel Van Voorhees

Lyrics

Hebrew Lyrics	English Translation
Erev shel shoshanim	Evening of roses
Nitzeh na el habustan	Let's go out to the grove
Mor besamim ulevana	Myrrh, spices, and incense
L'raglech miftan.	Are a carpet to walk on.

Chorus:	Chorus:
Layla yored le'at	The night comes slowly
Veru'ach shoshan noshvak	A breeze of roses blows
Havah elchash lach shir balat	Let me whisper a song to you quietly
Zemer shel ahava	A song of love.

Shachar homa yonah	At dawn, a dove is cooing
Roshech ma'ale t'lalim	Your hair is filled with dew
Pich el haboker shoshana	Your lips to the morning are like a rose
Ektefenu li.	I'll pick it for myself.

Repeat Chorus	Repeat Chorus