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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Yerushalayim Shel Zahav
(Jerusalem of Gold)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the beautiful Israeli song "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav". Also included is a transliteration of the Hebrew lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
The song was composed in 1967 for the Israel Song Festival. The song has attracted controversy because of its references to the fact that the city of Jerusalem was (at the time it was composed) a divided city. A month after the song was performed at the festival, Israeli forces captured the Old City. The song has taken on a great deal of importance for the Israeli people. Some even regard it as the second national anthem, after "ha-Tikvah".
This song has appeared on at least one music album intended for belly dancers, under the song title "Orshilim". Dancers are advised to use extreme caution when deciding whether to dance to this song, because of its political nature and its iconic status with the Israeli people. I have included this translation here on my web site as a warning for dancers who may find it on a CD and feel tempted to use it without knowing what the lyrics are about.
Lyrics and Music: Naomi Shemer
Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song
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Performed on harp by Rachel Van Voorhees |
Lyrics
Hebrew Lyrics |
English Translation |
Verse 1: |
Verse 1: |
| Avir harim tzalul kayayinvvere'ach oranim | Mountain air as clear as wine, and the scent of pine |
| Nisa baru-ach ha'arbayim im kol pa-amonim | Borne on the evening wind with the sound of bells |
| Uvtardemat ilan va'even shvuya bacholomah | And in the slumber of trees and stone, imprisoned in her dream |
| Ha'eer asher badad yoshevet uviliba chomah | Is the city which dwells alone, a wall within her heart |
Chorus: |
Chorus: |
| Yerushalayim shel zahav, veshel nechoset veshel ohr | Jerusalim of Gold, of bronze and light |
| Halo lechal shirayich ani kinor | I am the violin for all your songs |
Verse 2: |
Verse 2: |
| Eykha yavhsu borot hamayim | How have the cisterns dried out |
| Kikar hashuk reyka. | The market square is empty. |
| Ve'eyn poked et Har habayit b'eer ha'atika | And no one goes up to the Temple Mount in the Old City |
| Uvamarot asher basela meyalelot rukhot | Through the caves in the rocks, the winds howl |
| Ve'eyn yored et Yam Hamelech bederech Yericho | And no one goes down to the Dead Sea by the way of Jericho |
Repeat Chorus |
Repeat Chorus |
Verse 3: |
Verse 3: |
| Ach bavo'i hayom lashir lach | But when I come today to sing to you |
| Velach likshur ketarim | And to bind garlands for you |
| Katanti mitzeer banayich | I become smaller than the youngest of your sons |
| Um 'acharon hamshorerim | And the least of your poets |
Repeat Chorus |
Repeat Chorus |
Verse 4: |
Verse 4: |
| Ki shmech tzorev et hasfatayim | For your name burns the lips |
| Kinishika saraf | Like the kiss of an angel |
| Eem eshkakech Yerushalayim | Let me not forget thee, O Jerusalem |
| Asher kala zahav | That all of Gold |
Repeat Chorus |
Repeat Chorus |
Verse 5: |
Verse 5: |
| Hazarnu el borot hamayim lashuk velakikar | We have returned to the market, the cistern, and the square. |
| Shofar koreh behar habayit b'eer ha'atika | The shofar calls on the Temple Mount in the Old City |
| Uvamarot asher basela alfei shmashot zorchot | And from the caves in the rocks, 1,000 suns glow again |
| Veshuv naded el yam hamelech baderech Yericho | We will go down to the Dead Sea by way of Jericho |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Artist: Rachel Van Voorhees Amazon Store: |
About the Translator
Many thanks to Shoshana for providing this translation for this web site!!