Worker’s Song
Bar-Nash (Noah Shapiro)
1895
Written down while working in the fields, patterned after the Arabic working song and sung to that tune.
O I have my life and my labor!
Yah ḥai li, li-hah-‘amali!
Awaken, my brothers, there’s no time for rest,
arise and go forth, onward, to work! O I have my life . . .
Work is the ground that the world stands upon,
so give a cheer and sing out your thanks! O I have my life . . .
For work and none other, we’ll live all our lives,
yes, it’s work that will save us from troubles and cares! O I have my life . . .
She—it’s work that breathes the breath of life
and work that makes our strong hard bones! O I have my life . . .
It gives the body strength and might
lends the head vigor and brains! O I have my life . . .
By work we’re made rich, honest work brings success,
and it’s work that brings us every blessing! O I have my life . . .
From the dew of heaven and every sweetness
work gives bread to eat and clothes to wear! O I have my life . . .
Working the land offers another profit
for work is the soul of all the nation! O I have my life . . .
For it is the foundation of all its labor —
blessed is the nation who is like this! O I have my life . . .
And thus, my brother, onward to work
so give a cheer and sing out your thanks! O I have my life . . .
April 29, 1895
Translated by
Jordan
Paul
.
Credits
Bar-Nash (Noah Shapiro), “Shir avodah” [Worker’s Song], https://www.zemereshet.co.il/m/song.asp?id=136.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 7.
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