SP2039
Likhvod ha chanukah
Music: Trad. arr. Sheena Phillips, Words: Trad. Jewish
Voicing: SATB, optional guitar, percussion
Performance time approx: 1m 50s
Range S: d' – d'' / A: c' – g' / T: g – e'♭ / B: e♭ – g
Price code: A
Complexity:
Here’s an easily learnt arrangement of a traditional Chanukah song. Sopranos get the catchy tune, accompanied homophonically by the other parts. Apologies to the basses, who pedal the same note nearly throughout (but to good effect)! Feel free to add tambourine, dumbek or other small drum, zills, and/or guitar.
Imi natna leviva li
Leviva chama umetuka
Yod’im atem likhvod ma,
Likhvod ha’chanukah
Avi hidlik nerot li
Veshamash lo avuka
Dodi natan t’shurali
P’rutah akhat shkukah
Traditional (romanized Hebrew)
Translation
My mother gave me latkes, warm and sweet
You all know why: because it’s Chanukah
My father lit the candles for me, and the shamash* was like a torch
My uncle gave me a present – one worn penny.
* shamash: the ‘servant candle’ used to light the first (or sometimes all) of the Chanukah candles