Skip to Main Content

A Bisl Yiddish: Day 3: Music

Resources to get your started on your exploration of Yiddish language, literature, music, and theater.

Introduction to Yiddish Music Playlist

Yiddish version of Leonard Cohen's song, "Hallelujah."

Translated into Yiddish and sung by Daniel Kahn.

Burikes perform Di Tsukunft (The Future) February 2020/Shevat 2780. Yiddish text by Morris Winchevsky. English translation by Adah Hetko. 

Jewish Labor Movement Songs

From Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird's album "Lost Causes" www.paintedbird.net. Original Yiddish song by Mordechai Gebirtig, written ca. 1930 in Krakow. English by Daniel Kahn, 2009.

The Victory of the Cloakmakers (1910)

A year before the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (March 25, 1911), the Cloakmakers went on an 8-day strike, which, in combination with other labor action in 1909 resulted in union recognition. This rendition of the song is performed by Jane Peppler. http://www.yiddishpennysongs.com/ 

Online Yiddish/English Dictionaries

Sound Archives

Bay mir bistu sheyn

"Bei mir bist du schon" (בײַ מיר ביסטו שיין‎) is a popular Yiddish song composed by Jacob Jacobs (lyricist) and Sholom Secunda (composer) in 1932. The Andrews Sisters recorded the song in 1937 and it became their first major hit, earning them a gold record, the first ever to a female vocal group. It was also a worldwide hit. 

Choose Your Own Yiddish Adventure

Beach and boardwalk, Coney Island, N. Y.. Acacia Card Company, 258 Broadway, New York 7, N.Y., 1930. Web. 17 May 2020. <https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/br86b395d>.