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Tum balalaika
Sound balalaika
Children's Song
(Yiddish)
Shteyt a bocher, shteyt un tracht,
Tract un tracht dem gantze nacht:
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika
Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika
Tum balalaika, freylach zol seyn.
Meydl, meydl, ch'vel bay dir fregn:
Vos kon vaksn, vaksn on regn?
Vos kon brenen un nit oyfhern ?
Vos kon benken, veynen on trern?
Narisher bocher, vos darfstu fregn?
A shteyn kon vaksn, vaksn on regn.
Libe kon brenen, un nit oyfhern.
A harts kon benken, veynen on trern.
Children's Song
(English)
A young man stands, stands and ponders
He ponders and ponders all night long:
Whom to choose and not offend?
Whom to choose and not offend?
Sound bala, sound bala, sound balalaika
Sound bala, sound bala, sound balalaika
Sound balalaika, play balalaika
Sound balalaika, be joyful.
Maiden, maiden, can I ask you?
What can grow, grow without rain
What can burn, burn and not stop
What can cry, cry without tears?
Foolish young man, what are you asking?
A stone can grow, grow without rain,
Love can burn, burn and not stop
A heart can cry, cry without tears.
 | MIDI Tune of Tum balalaika (Click to listen) |  |
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Copyright ©2009 by Lisa Yannucci. All rights reserved.
Many thanks to Aleksandra Grbic Hrustic for contributing this song, the English translation, the midi music and the sheet music. Thanks also to John Ringo for sharing his English translation.
Dear Mama Lisa:
I was actually looking for a set of lyrics to this I remember from my childhood. I could recall the last two verses but not the first.
If I might dare to suggest an alternate translation to the last two:
Maiden, maiden, this I must know.
What can grow without rain or snow?
What can blaze and never die?
And what can weep and never cry?
Tumbala tumbala tum balalaika
Tumbala tumbala tum balalaika
Tum balalaika, play balalaika
Tum balalaika laugh and be gay.
Idle lad you're joking I know.
A stone can grow without rain or snow.
Love can blaze and never die
And a heart can weep and never cry.
Chorus.
Sorry, it's just a more singable version in English. I used to use it as a lullabye for my kids. (As well as The Skye Boat Song and Charlie is My Darlin'.)
Now if I can just find the translation of the first verse.
Take care,
John Ringo