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03 Oct 04 - 10:10 AM (#1287373) Subject: BS: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Abraham Diner Starting a list of songs which relate to the holocaust tragedy in memory of those who suffered/ and/or died in this period. Here are some songs I considered. Please add any you may have: 1) Where is the Village? ( Vi iz dus gesele) bilingual yiddish/english song by Jay and the Americans in their LP TRY SOME OF THIS. Sung in perfect yiddish by Howie Kane. 2) El Diario de Ana Frank.- song about Ann Frank sung in Spanish by Italian singer Mino Reitano. Also sung in the original Italian version. 3) Es Brennt.- Many versions of this holocaust song by Gebirtig. in yiddish. 4) Zog nit kein mol.- yiddish partisan song of the holocaust period. Many versions, but one very interesting one by Paul Robeson, sung live in moscow in the 1940's ( in yiddish) Please add more songs this list. Thank you. |
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03 Oct 04 - 10:14 AM (#1287375) Subject: RE: Vu Iz Dos Gesele From: GUEST,Abraham Diner I started a new Thread: HOLOCAUST/SONGS IN MEMORY. hOW DO i JOIN THE MENTIONED THREAD TO THE JEWISH SONGS THREAD ALREADY IN EXISTENCE? pLEASE LET ME KNOW, OR MAYBE YOU CAN DO IT,= tHANK YOU. |
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03 Oct 04 - 12:03 PM (#1287453) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Joe Offer We haven't had a thread directly about Holocaust songs, although you'll find many Holocaust songs posted in the threads crosslinked at the top of this page. It certainly would be nice to post a few songs. It takes some work to see if the songs have already been posted, since varieties of transliteration make searching difficult. I recently bought a Tara Publications songbook and CD called Songs Never Silenced, by Velvel Pasternak (published in 2003). It's a nice book, but I think it's better to get the three Eleanor & Joseph Mlotek songbooks from Workmen's Circle first: Pearls of Yiddish Song, Songs of Generations: New Pearls of Yiddish Song, and Mir Trogn a Gesang: Favorite Yiddish Songs. The Mloteks cover Holocaust songs well, but also have many other songs. Workmen's Circle has CD's for sale, but I don't see songbooks just now. You can get all the Mlotek and Pasternak songbooks and others at http://www.jewishmusic.com. I think the Holocaust song that strikes me most is Tsen Brider. It's an old song, but it applies so well to the horrible loss that took place in the Holocaust. -Joe Offer- |
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03 Oct 04 - 12:58 PM (#1287481) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Rabbi-Sol The Hebrew song "Ani Maamin" (I believe), is the last song that the Jews sang as they marched into the gas chambers at Auschwitz. SOL ZELLER |
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03 Oct 04 - 03:26 PM (#1287556) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: mg Is Die Gidanzen Sind Frie?? specific to the Holocaust? I know someone used to sing it in their honor at a workshop. Also peatbog soldiers???? mg |
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03 Oct 04 - 04:31 PM (#1287606) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Mark Cohen I have a book published by the Workmen's Circle in 1983 called "Mir Zaynen Do: Lider Fun Di Getos Un Lageren (We Are Here: Songs of the Holocaust [literal translation: Songs of the Ghettos and Camps])," compiled by Eleanor Mlotek and Malke Gottlieb, with 43 songs in Yiddish, transliterated Yiddish, and English. It appears to be out of print, though. But Jerry Silverman has a new book (2001) called Undying Flame: Ballads and Songs of the Holocaust, with 110 songs in 16 languages. That would be a good place to start. Aloha, Mark |
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03 Oct 04 - 04:33 PM (#1287608) Subject: SBADD: through a Child's Eyes (Gary Ehrlich) From: Gorgeous Gary Are you looking specifically for Yiddush or period songs or are you open to more contemporary songs? If the latter, a personal favorite of mine is Fred Small's "Denmark 1943". There's also my own setting of Anne Frank's story: Through A Child's Eyes by: Gary Ehrlich © 7/95 Through a child's eyes, a tale of hope against despair. Through a child's eyes, a tale of lives cut short. The doors that will not slam shut, the walls that won't close in. The good that lies within the heart, that won't let evil win. The horrors brought by people who let hatred rule their lives I see the fires burn through a child's eyes. Through a child's eyes, I see her words take flight again. Through a child's eyes, The fam-'lies live once more. Across the years her story will briefly take the stage. Their joys and terrors passing by, a diary's turning page. While heroes from the outside try and help them to survive. I see them live again through a child's eyes. Through a child's eyes, I see the tears are falling down. Through a child's eyes, I see the shock and pain. A soul is deeply moved by a young girl's tragic fate. A mind has learned from history what happens when we hate. I feel hope that the millions will not once more have to die. And see the future born through a child's eyes. I see the future born through a child's eyes. |
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03 Oct 04 - 05:25 PM (#1287640) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Jeanie What a wonderful song, Gary. Is there any way you can let us have the melody ? I find your song particularly moving because I am right now in the middle of running a series of improvised drama sessions on Anne Frank with a class of 10/11 year olds. For most of the children, all that they are learning is new to them, and I have seen in them all the responses you describe in your song as the occupants of the secret Annexe, Miep Gies and the other helpers "live again", as in your song. A story that needs to be retold for each new generation, and related to their present-day world, for the future. Tom Bliss (of Napper and Bliss)has written a poignant song, 'The Violin', tracing the history of his violin made in Salzburg in the 1930s, whose "silence sings loudest of all". Lyrics here. - jeanie |
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03 Oct 04 - 05:42 PM (#1287650) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Jack The Lad For me, Mayn Shvester Khaye sung by Chava Alberstein on her excellent Cd The Well, is the most poignant and moving Holocaust song I've ever heard. It is a poem by Binem Heller set to music by Chava Alberstein, arranged by The Klezmatics. The whole CD is excellent, and is not by any means a CD of Holocaust songs- it is simply a joy of Yiddish poems set to music. Jack The Lad |
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03 Oct 04 - 06:06 PM (#1287659) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: DonMeixner Would "Rubenstein Remembers" fall into this bin? A very touching song. Don |
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03 Oct 04 - 07:18 PM (#1287708) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Joe Offer Lots of good songs listed here. I've gone through the messages above and made clickable links to the lyrics we have. I underlined the lyrics we don't have. If you have them, please post them in this thread. -Joe Offer- |
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03 Oct 04 - 09:19 PM (#1287815) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Rabbi-Sol Complying with Joe Offer's request, here are the words to the song Ani Maamin.
Veaf al pi sheyismomayah, im kol zeh, Ani Maamin"
The words were written by the 11th century sage, Rabbi Moses Miamonides as part of his 13 principles of faith. This one is #12. The haunting melody has been around for at least 200 years and has been passed down from generation to generation. The song has been recorded by Avraham Fried on his album "No Jew Will Be Left Behind", which is dstributed by Holyland Records. It is available in most Jewish book stores. SOL ZELLER |
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04 Oct 04 - 06:47 AM (#1288110) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Abraham Diner Thank you for all this great information. The song Eli, Eli, as sung in Yiddish by Connie Francis is very good, although I consider the audio recording quality as poor. Another song, also by chance called Eli,Eli, about Hannah Schennes(?) who parachuted into occupied nazi territory during the holocaust period to save jews, is a very nice song in hebrew. I once bought an LP by Israeli actor TOPOL, and he included that song in the LP. So there are two songs called ELI,ELI, which could be considered as songs in memory of the holocaust. |
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04 Oct 04 - 10:11 AM (#1288250) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive) Train for Auschwitz by Tom Paxton on The Best of Broadside. Schtille Di Nacht, sung by Pete Seeger on We Shall Overcome: The Complete Carnegie Hall Concert. Di Nakht, sung by June Tabor on Aleyn. The Partisan, sung by Leonard Cohen on Songs From A Room and Joan Baez on Come From the Shadows. The Partisan's Song, sung by Chava Alberstein on The Best of Yiddish Songs (click?). Mayn Shvester Khaye, sung by Chava Alberstein & the Klezmatics on The Well. Ghetto Tango by Adrienne Cooper & Zalmen Mlotek is an entire album of songs sung during the Holocause. |
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04 Oct 04 - 02:29 PM (#1288459) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Bill Hahn//\\ Not only about Holocaust but about that and also other things that stem from such bigotry (for want of a better word)--- Bob Franke's Krystalnacht is Coming (On his Heart of the Flower CD) Bill Hahn |
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04 Oct 04 - 02:49 PM (#1288468) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Bill Hahn//\\ Mary Garvey: Die Gedanken Sind Frei (Literal translation: The Thoughts are Free) is not specific to Holocaust---made famous by Pete Seeger. Peat Bog Soldiers is, supposedly, Holocaust specific and yet there were versions sung during the Spanish Civil War. One of the most beautiful versions of this piece is by Paul Robeson---but then what is not beautiful that he sang. Bill Hahn |
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04 Oct 04 - 05:47 PM (#1288589) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive) Bill Hahn, Peat Bog Soldiers originated, in 1933, in a Nazi concentration camp. This was in the years leading up to the actual Holocaust. The song was brought to Spain by Jewish German volunteers for the anti-Fascist Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War. |
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04 Oct 04 - 06:10 PM (#1288594) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Bill Hahn//\\ A Zilch: Thanks for the clarification on that. Having been born in Austria around that time I did not know that in 1933 there were yet camps in Germany. I do find that hard to understand since the Spanish Civil War was, among other things, a training field for the German military tactics. I appreciate the information and will research it some more. I do know that the song was sung in both sad places as I wrote previously. Bill Hahn |
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04 Oct 04 - 06:25 PM (#1288601) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Bill Hahn//\\ Thanks for the input---I looked all this up and was surprised to learn about the earlier camps that were situated in Germany proper. Brutal ones. I do not know how to refer anyone to the site of this information but will say that it talks of the authors of the song, one of whom was quite involved with Bertold Brecht/Kurt Weill and for a time in later years taught at a Univ. in Calif. In any case---a moving song and I appreciate the historical revelation to me. Bill Hahn |
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04 Oct 04 - 06:26 PM (#1288602) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Susanne (skw) Peat Bog Soldiers is not about the holocaust but, as Alonzo points out, it is about the early concentration camps - where political prisoners (Communists, Socialists and left wing intellectuals in general) were held. See this thread for more info. |
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04 Oct 04 - 06:30 PM (#1288607) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Bill Hahn//\\ This is the link that gives a very good history of the song and the people involved. http://learning.dada.at/res/pdf/EA005PRO.PDF Bill Hahn |
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05 Oct 04 - 12:37 AM (#1288823) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Abraham Diner For those of you who want to listen and download some interesting songs check out his web page of israeli singer ESTHER OFARIM: www.esther-ofarim.de. This Israeli singer has become a very big personality in Germany. And she sings beautiful. Among the Holocaust songs you can download here are: UNTER DEYNE WAYSE STERRNEN FRUHLING Many songs in french, English, german, hebrew |
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05 Oct 04 - 03:12 AM (#1288875) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Mark Cohen I think everybody should listen to Chava Alberstein sing. She has a voice like liquid chocolate. (Unless you don't like chocolate, of course. Then pick something else rich and heavenly, like liquid gold.) I first heard her on the Putumayo recording, "A Jewish Odyssey." Aloha, Mark |
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05 Oct 04 - 07:16 AM (#1289028) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Paul Burke Not strictly holocaust, but one of the many moving Yiddish songs is Papirossen. Lucy Skeaping (Burning Bush) sings it in English on one of their CDs, it's totally heartbreaking. At the New Mills session, the tune is played upbeat, and having heard the song, I can't do it that way any more. And holocaust, but not about it, the Ladino song 'The Trees Cry for rain': apparently sung by the Jews of Cos (?) as they embarked on the ships that took them away forever... |
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05 Oct 04 - 09:01 AM (#1289119) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Abraham Diner As far as instrumental music to be considered. I would select the Theme from Schindler's List as played by violinist Itzhak Perlman in the original soundtrack. As far as classical recordings, I would consider KOL NIDRE by composer Max BRUCH., as played on the cello by Jacqueline du Pre. |
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06 Oct 04 - 02:30 AM (#1289933) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST This is a song about the concentration camp just outside Prague which was used for propaganda purposes by the nazis to show the red cross how well treated the people were in concentration camps. Schaechter taught the inmates to sing Verdi's Requiem as a protest - because it was in Latin the nazis didnt understand its meaning and relevance.Friedl taught the children to paint to escape their fears. The children's paintings and poems are in the museum there. Vadens visit to Terezienstadt The taxi drew up at a place close to Prague The Bell Tower tall and dark in the gloom In the war many thousands herded through its gates In the spring the chestnut trees bloom A boy wanted to run from his bed in the dirt From this place where no butterfly flew A ghetto 'approved' where in secret they sang Strength grew as barbed wire flowers grew Ch. Sing All men Sing What you cant say you must sing Sing out a requiem Sing songs of hope But sing all men sing Musicians and artists and leaders of men To confuse and deceive made a show Children whose paintings and poems tell all If you look with your hearts you will know A fantastic illusion of shops filled with goods Tears fell as the trucks filled with men Cos its off to the east when your number is up Then you'll not see your kinsmen again From the hunger sprang passion From the pain sprang a pride A defiance kept spirits alive Schaecter taught requiem Freidl her art 6,000 pictures survived A broken harmonium rang out the tunes The defiant then taken away A hearse took the dead by the light of the moon And delivered the bread in the day 87,000 from here were sent east Of these 83,000 died Murdered or tortured or perished on route Of the children a handful survived Some try to deny that it happened at all Soon those that survived will be gone They defied the oppressors with poems and art And their spirits live on in our songs © 9th August 2003 S.Haithwaite |
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06 Oct 04 - 12:52 PM (#1290369) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,wealhtheow We always sang "Dona Dona" during Holocaust Memorial Week in college--not sure of the origins of the song. Here are the lyrics: On a wagon bound for market There's a calf with a mournful eye. High above him there's a swallow Winging swiftly through the sky. CHORUS How the winds are laughing They laugh with all their might Laugh and laugh the whole day through And half the summer's night. Dona dona dona dona Dona dona dona down Dona dona dona dona Dona dona dona don 2. "Stop complaining," said the farmer "Who told you a calf to be; Why don't you have wings to fly away Like the swallow so proud and free?" 3. Calves are easily bound and slaughtered Never knowing the reason why. But whoever treasures freedom, Like the swallow must learn to fly |
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06 Oct 04 - 10:04 PM (#1290832) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Gorgeous Gary Jeanie - I do have a personal recording or two lurking around; I'll try and get it (or at least part of it) converted to an MP3 or something. Might take a couple of days though, depending on my schedule (I'm getting ready to go away to Toronto for the weekend) and how well my computer behaves (and/or my brain...I'm not that experienced at sound-file making). -- Gary |
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07 Oct 04 - 04:52 AM (#1291049) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Jeanie Many thanks, Gary, it would be lovely to hear it. I'm sure others would be interested, too. And congratulations on writing such a good song. Wealhtheow: You might be interested in this thread discussing the origins and meaning of "Dona, Dona". It was the tradition for a family I used to spend Passover with to sing this song during the Seder meal, as well as the more usual songs like "Dayeinu". - jeanie |
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22 Jan 08 - 04:41 PM (#2242324) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Volgadon "Another song, also by chance called Eli,Eli, about Hannah Schennes(?) who parachuted into occupied nazi territory during the holocaust period to save jews, is a very nice song in hebrew. I once bought an LP by Israeli actor TOPOL, and he included that song in the LP. So there are two songs called ELI,ELI, which could be considered as songs in memory of the holocaust." The actual title of "Eli, Eli" (My God, My God), is "Halicha le'Keisaria" (Walking to Caesarea, or, the walk to Caesarea), a poem written before the war by Hannah Szenes. It has no direct relation to the Holocaust, but is sung not only in her memory, but also in memory of Holocaust victims, and as a general lament. The music is by David Zehavi. אלי, אלי, שלא יגמר לעולם החול והים רשרוש של המים ברק השמים תפילת האדם Eli, Eli, shelo igamer le'olam hachol vehayam rishrush shel hamayim barak hashamayim tfilat he'adam. My God, my God, may it never cease to be the sand and the sea the rustle of the waters the lightning of the skies the prayer of man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sqSwV-DER8 A very moving rendition by Habreira Hativ'it. About 4 minutes in, the song starts. She was an amazing person by all accounts, and very sensitive, some say naive. She enlisted in the British army and joined the SOE, as a radio operator, IIRC. She made a drop into Croatia, joined the partisans, and to cut a long story short, fell into the hands of the Nazis, who beat and tortured her. A little before her capture, she wrote a beautiful poem, which I don't think has been set to music. ,אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף וְהִצִּית לֶהָבוֹת .אַשְׁרֵי הַלְּהָבָה שֶׁבָּעֲרָה בְּסִתְרֵי לְבָבוֹת ...אַשְׁרֵי הַלְבָבוֹת שֶׁיָדְעוּ לַחְדוֹל בְּכָבוֹד .אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף וְהִצִּית לֶהָבוֹת Ashrey hagafrur shenisraf vehetzit lehavot. Ashrey halehava sheba'ara besitrey levavot. Ashrey halevavot sheyad'u lachdol bekavod... Ashrey hagafrur shenisraf vehitzit lehavot. Blessed be the match which is burnt but started flames. Blessed be the flame burning in the secret chambers of the hearts. Blessed be the hearts which knew how to cease with dignity. Blessed be the match which is burnt but started a flame. She was only 23 or so when they executed her. |
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22 Jan 08 - 04:54 PM (#2242338) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry I think I can get the lyrics to Es Brent and to Mayn Shvester Khaye if they're still needed. |
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22 Jan 08 - 05:01 PM (#2242346) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Volgadon Please. |
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24 Jan 08 - 05:50 PM (#2243979) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Mayn Shvester Khaye Poem by Binem Heller (1906-1998) Set to music by Chava Alberstein Recorded by Alberstein and the Klezmatics on the album, The Well. English translation by Michael Wex Also recorded by Australian band, Klezmania Mayn shvester Khaye mit di grine oygen, Mayn shvester Khaye mit di shvartse tsep--- Di shvester Khaye, vos hot mikh dertsoygn Oyf smotshe-gas, in hoyz mit krume trep. Di mame iz avek fun shtub baginen, Ven oyfn himl hot ersht koym gehelt. Zi iz avek in krom arayn fardinen Dos bidne-drobne groshedike gelt. Un Khaye iz geblibn mit di brider, Un zi hot zey gekormet un gehit, Un zi flegt zingen zey di sheyne lider, Far nakht, ven kleyne kinder vern mid. Mayn shvester Khaye mit di grine oygen, Mayn shvester Khaye mit di lange hor--- Di shvester Khaye, vos hot mikh dertsoygn, Iz nokh nisht alt geven keyn tsendling yor. Zi hot geroymt, gekokht, derlangt dos esn, Zi hot getsvogn undz di kleyne kep, Nor shpiln zikh mit undz hot zi fargesn--- Di shvester Khaye mit di shvartse tsep. Mayn shvester Khaye mit di grine oygen, A daytsh hot in treblinke zi farbrent. Un ikh bin in der yidishe medine Der same letster, vos hos zi gekent. Far ir shrayb ikh oyf yidish mayne lider In teg di shreklekhe fun undzer tsayt. Bay got aleyn iz zi a bas-yekhide--- In himl zitst zi bay zayn rekhter zayt. My sister Khaye, her eyes were green, My sister Khaye, her braids were black--- Sister Khaye, it was she who raised me In the house on Smotshe Street with tumble-down steps. Mother left the house at dawn When the sky had hardly lightened. She went off to the shop, to earn A wretched penny's worth of change. And Khaye stayed with the boys, She fed them and watched over them. And at evening, when little kids get tired, She'd sing them pretty songs. My sister Khaye, her eyes were green, My sister Khaye, her hair was long--- Sister Khaye, it was she who raised me, She wasn't even ten years old. She cleaned and cooked and served the food, She washed our little heads, All she forgot was to play with us--- Sister Khaye, her braids were black. My sister Khaye with her eyes of green Was burnt by a German in Treblinka. And I am in the Jewish state, The very last one who knew her. It's for her that I write my poems in Yiddish In these terrible days of our times. To God Himself she's an only daughter, She sits in heaven at His right hand. |
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24 Jan 08 - 06:07 PM (#2243987) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Es Brent Also called Undzer Shtetl Brent (Our shtetl burns) By M. Gebirtig Accompanying notes say it was written in 1939. Translation by Rae Mandelbaum Recorded by Australian band Spielazoi on their album, Shtetl. Es brent briderlekh, s'brent Oy undzer orem shtetl nebech brent Beyze vintn mit yirgozn Raysn brechn un tseblozn Shtarker noch di vilde flamen Altz arum shoin brent Un ir shteyt un kukt azoi zich Mit farlegte hent Un ir shteyt un kukt azoi zich Undzer shtetl brent Es brent briderlekh, es brent Di hilf iz nor in aich aleyn gevendt Oyb dos shtetl iz aich tayer Nemt di keylim lesht dos fayer! Lesht mit ayer eygn blut Bavayzt, az ir dos kent Shteyt nit brider ot azoy zich Mit farlegte hent Shteyt nit brider lesht dos fayer Undzer shtetl brent. It burns brothers, it burns Our poor unfortunate shtetl burns. Raging winds are fanning the wild flames Tearing, breaking and scattering everything Stronger still are the raging flames Everything around is burning. And you stand by and you watch with folded arms. You stand and look on passively while our town is burning. It burns brothers, it burns. Help depends on you alone and if the shtetl is dear to you take the utensils and extinguish the fire! Put it out with your own blood, show that you can do it. Brothers, don't stand there like this With folded arms. Don't just stand brothers, put out the fire! Our shtetl burns! |
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24 Jan 08 - 06:20 PM (#2243995) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Ikh Vill Tzu Gayn Amol (Sometimes I Want To Go Up) Poem by Rachel Korn Set to music by Yale Strom English translation by Seymour Mayne Recorded by Yale Strom on the album, Garden of Yidn Recorded in Yiddish, but the liner notes have only the English translation, and my Yiddish is not up to the task of transcribing from the recording. Editorial comment: the vocalist, Elizabeth Schwartz (Yale Strom's wife), is absolutely top-notch, in a league with Chava Alberstein. Sometimes I want to go up on tip toe to a strange house and feel the walls with my hands - what kind of clay baked in the bricks, what kind of wood is in the door, what kind of god has pitched his tent here, to guard it from misfortune and ruin? What kind of swallow under the roof has built its nest from straw and earth, and what kind of angels disguised as men came here as guests? What holy men came up to meet them bringing them basins of water to wash the dust from their feet, the dust of earthly roads? And what blessings did they have the children - from big to small, that it could protect and guard them from Belzec, Maidanek, Treblinka? From just such a house, Fenced in with a painted railing, in the middle of trees and blooming flowerbeds, blue, gold flame there came out - the murderer of my people, Of my mother Of my mother |
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24 Jan 08 - 06:29 PM (#2244005) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Mention should be made here of the album, Partisans of Vilna, The Songs of World War II Jewish Resistance, Flying Fish FF 70450. Here's a track listing: 1. S'Iz Geven A Zumertog (It Was a Summer Day) 2. Yisrolik 3. Unter Dayn Vayse Shtern (Under Your White Stars) 4. Yid, Du Partizaner (You Jewish Partisan) 5. Blayene Platn (Lead Printing Plates) 6. Itzik Vitnberg 7. Shtiler, Shtiler (Quiet, Quiet) 8. Zemlyanka (Dugout) 9. Tsu Eyns, Tsvey, Dray (It's One, Two, Three) 10. Dos Meydl fun Vald (The Girl from the Forest) 11. Shtil Di Nakht (A Quiet Night) 12. Zog Nit Keynmol (Never Say) The recordings are in Yiddish, the liner notes give only the English translations. |
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24 Jan 08 - 09:29 PM (#2244143) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: John on the Sunset Coast For some years I have had an album which I have listened to only once. I cannot bear to hear it again. The LP (from 1966)is "SONGS OF THE GHETTO", 'Years of Despair ' sung in Yiddish by Sarah Gorby - Philips PCC 221. The album contains songs cover the years 1939 - 1945. I note that at least one of the songs mentioned a few posts above, 'Es Brent' is on this album as 'S'Brent, Breiderlich'. The English translation of the song on the album, although unattributed, is extremely poetic. |
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27 Jan 08 - 07:46 PM (#2246603) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Also worth mention in this thread: The Mauthausen Cantata. This is four poems by Iakovos Kambanellis (in Greek, I assume), set to music by Mikis Theodorakis. The premier performance was by Maria Farantouri in 1965. Her performance of one of the four songs, called The Song of Songs, appears on the CD, The Fig Tree, a musical companion to Arnold Zable's book of the same name. The CD is on the Boite label, www.boite.asn.au I don't know whether the full Farantouri performance is available. Emma Schaver recorded an album, From the Heart of a People. Side 2 (we're talking vinyl here, folks) is called Songs of the Ghetto, and consists of Ani Maamin, Sleep My Child (Wiglied), Es Brennt, The March of Death (Nirkoda), and Zog Nit Az Du Geist Dem Letzten Veg (Partisanen). Where I give two titles, the first is from the record jacket, the one in parentheses is from the record label. There's no date on the LP, and I don't know whether it has been reissued on CD. |
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27 Jan 08 - 08:10 PM (#2246630) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Volgadon "8. Zemlyanka (Dugout) 11. Shtil Di Nakht (A Quiet Night)" 'Zemlyanka' was a well-known Russian war song, so I wonder if 'A Quiet Night' isn't 'Tyomnaya Noch'. |
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28 Jan 08 - 06:33 PM (#2247432) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST Volgadon, Zemlyanka is indeed a Russian war song. The liner notes say, "This song was written in Moscow in the winter of 1941-42 when there was an evacuation of women in the face of a threatened German attack. It reflected the gloomy mood of that time and became immediately popular." I don't know whether A Quiet Night is Tyomnaya Noch. In the liner notes, the name of the song is given as Silence, the Night. It was written by Hirsh Glik, and is about sabotage against the Nazis. "A lass ... holding a pistol tight in her hand ... watches over the enemy's caravan ... she stopped a car ... with one bullet ...." |
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19 Feb 08 - 02:23 PM (#2266530) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Wolfgang Two different spellings of the name of this remarkable woman are found in this thread. Let me add a third: Hannah Senesh memorial site Wolfgang |
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25 Jan 10 - 09:15 PM (#2821539) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,guest Thank you for this wonderful list. There are so few songs in English. Add to this Johnny Mathis' rendition of "Where Can I Go," about a refugee without papers. My understanding is that the song was written in Yiddish by Leo Fuld, who reportedly got the lyrics from a Warsaw Ghetto survivor. |
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09 Feb 10 - 08:57 AM (#2833935) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Dave MacKenzie Here are the Yiddish words for Dona, Dona DOS KELBL Ojfn Forel ligt a Kelbl, (or Oyfn Vogn ligt a Kelbl,) Ligt gebundn mit a Schtrik. Hojch in Himl fligt a Fojgl, Flit and drejt sich hin an zurik. Lacht der Wind in Korn, Lacht un lacht un lacht, Lacht er op a Tag a ganzn Un a halbe Nacht. Donaj, donaj, donaj, donaj, Donaj, donaj, donaj, daj. Donaj, donaj, donaj, donaj, Donaj, donaj, donaj, daj. Schrait dos Kelbl, sogt der Pojer, "Wer she hejst dich sajn a Kalb? Wolst gekent doch sajn a Fojgl, Wolst gekent doch sajn a Schwalb!" Bidne Kelbiech tut men bindn, Un men schlept sej un men schecht. Wer's hat fligl flit, arojf zu Un is baj kejnem nicht kejn Knecht. |
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09 Feb 10 - 12:58 PM (#2834218) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: mousethief This isn't a song relating something specific about the Shoa, like many of those above, but it looks at the tragedies of the early 20th century --especially the Shoa to which he gives the most ink-- from the point of view of the author's feelings about trains. He starts with happy associations of Thomas the Tank Engine, but when he learns about the 1st World War, and then the Shoa, it forever changes his sanguine view of trains. It ends with him riding the Amtrak on the east coast of the USA but finding himself unable to shake off the mental image of trains bringing Jews to the camps in Poland. I find it very powerful. Trains by Al Stewart O..O =o= |
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19 Feb 18 - 02:05 PM (#3906735) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,.gargoyle INTERESTING article and film trailer. https://www.ocregister.com/2018/02/19/long-lost-yiddish-songs-documenting-horrors-jews-experienced-during-word-war-ii-to-be-performed-at-uc-irvine/ Sincerely, Gargoyle |
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19 Feb 18 - 06:58 PM (#3906793) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry There's also a CD of the songs mentioned in gargoyle's link, Yiddish Glory - The Lost Songs of World War II The show is coming to other North American cities. My daughter sent me a list of cities and dates, but with no other information: Irvine, February 20 Nashville, February 21 Blacksburg, February 22 New York, April 9 Purdue, April 23 Chicago, May 7 Montreal, May 13 |
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21 Feb 18 - 10:26 AM (#3906959) Subject: Lyrics Add:Hill of Little Shoes -Atkin / James From: GUEST Clive James(five years old in January 1945) and Pete Atkin have collaborated to write a number of songs. Hill of Little Shoes is one of them. Hill of Little Shoes - Clive James I live in the shadow of a hill A hill of little shoes I love but I shiver with a chill A chill I never lose I live, I love, but where are they? Where are their lives, their loves? All blown away And every little shoe is a foot that never grew Another day If you could find a pair and put them on the floor Make a mark in the air like the marks beside your door When you were growing You'd see how tall they were And the buckles and the laces they could do up on their own Or almost could With their tongue-tips barely showing Tell you how small they were And then you'd think of little faces looking fearfully alone And how they stood In their bare feet being tall for the last time Just to be good And that was all they were They were like you in the same year but you grew up They were barely even here before they suddenly weren't there And while you got dressed for bed they did the same but they were led Into another room instead [And they were all blown away into thin air] * I live in the shadow of a hill A hill of little shoes I love but I shiver with a chill A chill I never lose And I caught that cold when I was chosen to grow old In the shadow of a hill of little shoes * this line is not used in the song http://www.clivejames.com/books/enemy/shoes http://www.peteatkin.com/i66.htm chords(transcription by Ian Chippett) http://www.peteatkin.com/i66c.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ story In January 1945,... Clives James was five years old... Loose Canon: The Extraordinary Songs of Clive James and Pete Atkin https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5L0wDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT118&dq=%22in+january+1945+when+soviet+troops+entered+the+gates+of+auschwit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pete Atkin spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/3x9nzD8OCsI3Ruj3puaWJX Coop Boyes Simpson youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2ecvMLKidw spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/2dVLcGGmd7JFQQDb7hj8jA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An abc I wrote when I was trying to learn it. I think the odd note might be wrong still. X:1 T:Hill Of Little Shoes C:Pete Atkin (Clive James) N:As I hear Pete Atkin sing it, I might be wrong N:Extra beats added to bars with held notes here L:1/8 Q:1/4=87 M:2/4 I:linebreak $ K:Cmaj V:1 treble nm="" %%MIDI program 0 V:1 z3 D | A2 FD | ED CD | B,4 | z2 z E | F4 | z2 z E | A E2 z | F4 |$ w: I|live in the|sha- dow of a|hill|a|hill|of|li- ttle|shoes| z3 E | A2 ED | EDCD | B,4 | z2 z D | E4 | z2 z F | c2 _B2 | A2$ w: I|love but I|shi- ver with a|chill|a|chill|I|ne- ver|lose z A, | A4 | z2 D2 | A4 | z2 D2 | A4 | G4 | F4 | $ w: I|live,|I|love,|but|where|are|they? z2 GF | A3 z | D3 z | A3 z | D3 z | z2 A2 | z2 GF | E2 z2 | z4 | $ w:where are|their|lives?|their|loves?|all|blown a-|way.| z DEF | AFE z/ (E/D/) | CD CD | B,2 z2 | z CDE | (F6 || E4) |$ w:And ev- ery|li- ttle shoe is a|foot that ne- ver| grew |a- no- ther|day||| z z z A, | A^FEF | E2 z D | ^CDCD | B,2 z $ w:If|you could find a|pair and|put them on the|floor B,/A,/ | A2 ^FE | D2 z D/B,/ | ^CDCD | B,2 $ w:Make a|mark in the|air like the|marks be- side your|door z A, | ^F2 z2 | z2 A2 | (A2 E2) | z ^CDE | E6 z D | A,3 z | $ w:when|you |were |grow- ing|You'd see how|tall they| were| z z z A,/A,/ | A^FEF | ED z ^C/D/ | ^CDCD | B,2 z A, | A2 ^F2 | E2 $ w:And the|bu- ckles and the|la- ces they could|do up on their|own Or|al- most|could z E/D/ | ^CDCD | ^CB, z z | A,2 E2 | z2 A,2 | E4 | D4 | D4 | $ w:With their|tonge tips bare- ly|show- ing|Tell you|how|small|they|were| z D^CD | BG^FG|^FE z D/E/ | DEDE | ^C2 z A, | ^F4 | z2 A2 | D2 z2 |$ w:And then you'd |think of li- ttle|fa- ces look- ing|fear- fu- lly a-|lone And|how|they|stood| z z B,A, |BG ^FG | ^FE z D/E/ | D4 | ^C4 | ^F2 z2 | z z GA | D2 z2 |$ w: In their|bare feet be- ing|ta- ll for the|last|time|Just|to be|good|| | z A B^c | d4 | d4 | d4 | z A B^c | d2 c_B | c4 | _B3 z | z z z G | (A4 | G4 | F3) z | z4 | $ w: And that was|all|they|were.|They were like|you in the|same|year,|but|you|grew|up|| d3 G | d_e c_B | c2 z z | z (c_BA) | z4 | (_BcAG) | A2 $ w: They were|bare- ly e- ven|here|be fore they||su- dden- ly weren't|there | z z GA | _B4 | z c AG | A4 | z A GF | G4 | z A FE | F4 |$ w:And while|you|got dressed for|bed|they did the|same|but they were|led| z G ED | E4 | D4 | _B,4 | z2 (_B,2 | A,4) |z4 | z4 | $ w: in- to a-|no-|ther|room|in-|stead||||||| |||||||||||| z2 D2 | A2 FD | ED CD | B,3 z | z2 z D | E2 z z | z2 z D | A2 D2 | F3 z| $ w: I|live in the|sha- dow of a|hill|a|hill|of|li- ttle|shoes z3 E | A2 ED | ED CD | B,3 z | z2 z D | E2 z z |z2 z F | c2 _B2 | A2 $ w: I |love but I|shi- ver with a|chill | a | chill | I|ne- ver| lose z2 F/G/ | A2 z z | z2 z D | A2 z2 | z D (ED | AD) z2 | z2 AG | F4 |$ w:and I|caught|this|cold|when I was|cho- sen|to grow|old| z4 | z2 ED | AF EF | ED CD | B,4 | z4 | z4 |] %172 w: |in the|sha- dow of a|hill of li- ttle|shoes| (see http://www.mandolintab.net/abcconverter.php & http://abcnotation.com/wiki/abc:standard:v2.1) |
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23 Jan 20 - 08:40 PM (#4029844) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: FreddyHeadey - |
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25 Jan 20 - 03:18 PM (#4030174) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Gerry Here's a review of the Brave Old World CD, Song of the Lodz Ghetto. The first paragraph of the review goes, I have been outmatched by the power of this CD. When it came out, I rushed a short paragraph about it onto the amazon.com site: "Brave Old World has been performing this cycle of music based on songs written by Jews in the Lodz Ghetto during WWII. The rolling cadences of the band's music, and Michael Alpert's amazing voice make this a 'must have' recording for anyone interested in wonderful, life-affirming Jewish music. Brave Old World have never sounded better—which given what an amazing band they are, live and in concert, is no small feat. Those interested in music from the Holocaust will also regard this as essential, on part with Adrienne Cooper and Zalmen Mlotek's 'Ghetto Tango' released to great acclaim several years ago." |
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27 Jan 20 - 09:32 AM (#4030517) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Steve Shaw BBC Radio Three played a lovely version of Ilse Weber's "Wiegala" (Lullaby) this morning on Essential Classics (about an hour in). Ilse was gassed along with her young son in Auschwitz. The version played was sung by Anne Sofie Von Otter to a very simple guitar accompaniment. Leave the programme running, as the next piece was Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus. |
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27 Jan 20 - 03:55 PM (#4030605) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: robomatic Steve: Thanks. I found the BBC3 schedule and located it. Hadn't given it much (any) attention before. What a resource! |
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29 Jan 20 - 12:39 AM (#4030915) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,GUEST, Kathy in Wisconsin Here is a book to look for in your library: Yes, We Sang! Songs of the Ghettos and Concentration Camps By Shoshana Kalisch Also, Rosalie Gerut has a 1988 CD called ‘We Are Here’ with many fine tracks. All of the musicians on the recording are descendants of a Holocaust survivors. Track 10 is Rosalie’s original composition ‘Children’s Song’ and is a lovely lullaby and wish for all children. |
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29 Jan 20 - 07:26 PM (#4031079) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: FreddyHeadey ^^^^^ Weber's "Wiegala" (Lullaby) -Anne Sofie Von Otter Essential Classics https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000dqf7 > 0:57:25 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/56cYxTdz5FQfB5Sn23jEtE?si=gJVhNQsWTca8pe8R62ildA |
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29 Jan 20 - 08:22 PM (#4031081) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Steve Shaw Thank you very much for that. :-) |
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29 Jan 20 - 10:39 PM (#4031086) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: ChanteyLass Blue Tattoo by Joe Crookston. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t5QnBBlbmag |
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30 Jan 20 - 11:13 AM (#4031177) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GUEST,Jack Campin I don't think this has been mentioned yet: Yiddish Glory |
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30 Jan 20 - 11:18 AM (#4031179) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Jack Campin the complicated story of Yiddish tango more |
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24 Jan 23 - 09:20 PM (#4163484) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: GerryM Jack, Yiddish Glory is the recording I mentioned in my post of 19 Feb 18 - 06:58 PM, upthread. But it's good to have your Wikipedia link. |
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26 Jan 23 - 08:34 AM (#4163569) Subject: RE: Holocaust/shoa songs. In memory. From: Felipa lyrics on Mudcat Rubinstein Remembers by Ewen Carruthers recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptHkpY2Ei8s (thanks to Geoff Lawes for suggesting this song on another thread - the January song thread: Holocaust Memorial Day 27 Jan -- though there are other dates of commemoration as well, Yom Shoah is in May and the European Sinti and Roma holocaust remembrance is on 2 Aug) |
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26 Jan 23 - 10:22 AM (#4163590) Subject: Lyr add: Dachaulied (German) & English translation From: Felipa https://holocaustmusic.ort.org/places/camps/music-early-camps/dachau/dachaulied/ "The 'Dachaulied' (Dachau song) was composed by Herbert Zipper to a text by Jura Soyfer. The two had been friends in Vienna in the 1930s, and in the summer of 1938 they again met up in Dachau, where they talked and made up songs and poems together. One day Zipper suggested Soyfer compose a poem based on the infamous slogan of the camp, ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ (Work will set you free). He memorised the poem that Soyfer recited to him a few days later, composed music to it in his head, and hummed it to some fellow prisoner-musicians, who soon made the song popular throughout the camp. Shortly after composing the song, on 23 September 1938, Zipper was transferred together with Soyfer to Buchenwald." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tELgZLS_o_4 sung at a commemoration recording with words on screen Further background information:https://norbertmiller.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/541/ WORTH LOOKING AT The story of how the song was preserved and disseminated reminds me of the story of Victor Jara's last song. DACHAULIED Jura Soyfer (tune by Herbert Zipper) Stacheldraht, mit Tod geladen, Ist um unsre Welt gespannt. Drauf ein Himmel ohne Gnaden Sendet Frost und Sonnenbrand. Fern von uns sind alle Freuden, Fern die Heimat und die Fraun, Wenn wir stumm zur Arbeit schreiten, Tausende im Morgengraun. Doch wir haben die Losung von Dachau gelernt, Und wir wurden stahlhart dabei. Bleib ein Mensch, Kamerad, Sei ein Mann, Kamerad, Mach ganze Arbeit, pack an Kamerad: Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei, Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei! Vor der Mündung der Gewehre Leben wir bei Tag und Nacht. Leben wird uns hier zur Lehre, Schwerer, als wir's je gedacht. Keiner mehr zählt Tag' und Wochen, Mancher schon die Jahre nicht. Und so viele sind zerbrochen Und verloren ihr Gesicht. Doch wir haben die Losung von Dachau gelernt, Und wir wurden stahlhart dabei. Bleib ein Mensch, Kamerad, Sei ein Mann, Kamerad, Mach ganze Arbeit, pack an Kamerad: Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei, Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei! Heb den Stein und zieh den Wagen, Keine Last sei dir zu schwer. Der du warst in fernen Tagen, Bist du heut schon längst nicht mehr. Stich den Spaten in die Erde, Grab dein Mitleid tief hinein, Und im eignen Schweiße werde Selber du zu Stahl und Stein. Doch wir haben die Losung von Dachau gelernt, Und wir wurden stahlhart dabei. Bleib ein Mensch, Kamerad, Sei ein Mann, Kamerad, Mach ganze Arbeit, pack an Kamerad: Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei, Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei! Einst wird die Sirene künden: Auf zum letzten Zählappell! Draußen dann, wo wir uns finden, Bist du, Kamerad, zur Stell. Hell wird uns die Freiheit lachen, Schaffen heißt's mit großem Mut. Und die Arbeit, die wir machen. Diese Arbeit, sie wird gut. Denn wir haben die Losung von Dachau gelernt, Und wir wurden stahlhart dabei. Bleib ein Mensch, Kamerad, Sei ein Mann, Kamerad, Mach ganze Arbeit, pack an Kamerad: Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei, Denn Arbeit, denn Arbeit macht frei! https://lyricstranslate.com/en/dachaulied-song-dachau.html TRANSLATION Tereza Vorošilova Song of Dachau Barbed wire, loaded with death, Stretches around our world. Above, a sky without mercy Sends frost and sunburn. Far from us are all joys, Far away are home and women, When we silently march to work, Thousands at dawn. But we have learned the motto of Dachau, And we became hard as steel through it. Remain human, comrade, Be a man, comrade, Work properly, work hard, comrade: Because work, work sets you free, Because work, work sets you free! In front of the rifle muzzles We live day and night. Life becomes a lesson here, Harder than we ever thought. Nobody still counts day or week, Some not even the years anymore. And so many have been broken And lost their face. But we have learned the motto of Dachau, And we became hard as steel through it. Remain human, comrade, Be a man, comrade, Work properly, work hard, comrade: Because work, work sets you free, Because work, work sets you free! Lift the rock and pull the cart, No burden may be too heavy for you. Who you were in distant days, You haven't been for a long time now. Stick the spade deep into the ground, Bury your sympathy deep inside, And in your own sweat become Steel and stone yourself. But we have learned the motto of Dachau, And we became hard as steel through it. Remain human, comrade, Be a man, comrade, Work properly, work hard, comrade: Because work, work sets you free, Because work, work sets you free! Someday the siren will proclaim: Towards the last roll call! Outside then, where we find ourselves, You, comrade, will be there. Brightly will freedom smile at us, Work is the motto, with much bravery. And the work we do, That work will become good. But we have learned the motto of Dachau, And we became hard as steel through it. Remain human, comrade, Be a man, comrade, Work properly, work hard, comrade: Because work, work sets you free, Because work, work sets you free! TRANSLATION DACHAU SONG (translation published in Paul Cummins' biography of Herbert Zipper) Charged with death, high tension wire Rings around our world a chain. Pitiless, a sky sends fire, Biting frost and drenching rain. Far from us is lust for living, Far our women, far our town. When we mutely march to toiling Thousands into morning’s dawn. CHORUS But we all learned the motto of Dachau to heed And became as hardened as stone. Stay humane, Dachau man, be a man, Dachau mate And work as hard as you can, Dachau mate For work leads to freedom alone! Faced by ever-threatening rifles We exist by night and day. Life itself, this hell hole stifles Worse than any words can say. Days and weeks we leave unnumbered Some forget the count of years. And their spirits encumbered With their faces scarred by tears. CHORUS Lift the stone and drag the wagon Shun no burden and no chore. Who you were in days long gone by Here you are not anymore. Stab the earth and bury depthless All the pity you can feel. And with your own sweat hapless You convert to stone and steel. CHORUS Once will sound the siren’s wailing Summons to the last roll-call. Outside, then, we will be hailing Dachau mates uniting all. Freedom brightly will be shining, For the hard-forged brotherhood. And the work we are designing Our work it will be good. CHORUS John Lehmann's translation Song of the Austrians in Dachau, can be seen in an image at https://norbertmiller.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/541/ (link given earlier in this post) and in the book Poems from New Writing (pseudonym Georg Anders) also at https://holocaustmusic.ort.org/places/camps/music-early-camps/dachau/dachaulied/words/ : SONG OF THE AUSTRIANS IN DACHAU (From the German of Jura Soyfer) John Lehmann, c. 1941 Over the entrance to Dachau Concentration Camps stood the words: ARBEIT MACHT FREI. Pitiless the barbed wire dealing Death, that round our prison runs, And a sky that knows no feeling Sends us ice and burning suns; Lost to us the world of laughter, Lost our homes, our loves, our all; Through the dawn our thousands muster, To their work in silence fall. But the slogan of Dachau is burnt on our brains And unyielding as steel we shall be Are we men brother? Then we'll be men when they've done, Work on, we'll go through with the task we've begun, For work, brother, work makes us free. Haunted by the gun mouths turning All our days and nights are spent; Toil is ours - the way we're learning Harder than we ever dreamt; Weeks and months we cease to reckon Pass, and some forget the years, And so many men are broken And their faces changed with fears. But the slogan of Dachau is burnt on our brains etc... |