14 Oct 06 - 03:22 PM (#1858886) Subject: Lyr Add: Yoshke Fort Avek From: Joe Offer My friend Mrs. Lev asked me about this song, so I'm looking for versions. I have two or three to post, and I'll transcribe a MIDI. Note that Zemerl has a link to a brief recording clip of the song. -Joe- I think I'll start the easy way and post what I found at Zemerl.com: Yoshke Fort Avek (Yoshke is Leaving)
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14 Oct 06 - 04:21 PM (#1858908) Subject: Lyr Add: Yoshke Fort Avek From: Joe Offer Yoshke Fort Avek
Source: Ruth Rubin, Jewish Folk Songs in Yiddish and English (Oak Publications, 1965). Rubin's notes: This song originated in Vilna, Lithuania, and is about an underworld character, "Yoshke," who preyed upon the small merchants in the Jewish quarter there. When the Russo-Japanese War broke out in 1904 and he was drafted, this satirical-humorous song describing an imaginary conversation between Yoshke and his lady-love became popular. With the passage of time, however, folks began to interpret this song differently, with emphasis on the poignancy of separation in wartime. Both forms of interpretation are current. English lyrics by Ruth Rubin. Click to play |
14 Oct 06 - 06:13 PM (#1858952) Subject: Lyr Add: Yoshke Fort Avek From: Joe Offer One more version: Yoshke Fort Avek Koyf mir nit kayn lokenes, Un mach mich nit sheyn. Koyf dir a porshtivelech, Tsum priziv darfstu geyn. Oy, oy, oy, oy, Yoshke fort avek. Noch a sho un noch a sho, Der poyezd geyt avek. Zay-zhe mir gezunt, Mayn tayere kale. Noch dir vel ich benken Mer vi noch ale Oy, oy, oy, oy, Yoshke fort avek. Noch a kush un noch a kush, Der poyezd geyt avek. Di ban iz shoyn gekumen Un es chapt mich on a shrek! Lomir zich gezegenen, Der poyezd geyt avek. Oy, oy, oy, oy, Yoshke fort avek. Noch a sho un noch a sho, Der poyezd geyt avek. Klog-zhe nisht un veyn-zhe nisht, S'iz altsding blote! Ich vel zayn bay Fonyen, Der shenster in der rote! Oy, oy, oy, oy, Yoshke fort avek. Noch a kush un noch a kush, Der poyezd geyt avek. Droysn iz a zaveruche, Drysn iz a shney, Oy vey, mamele, Dos kepele tut vey! Oy, oy, oy, oy, Yoshke fort avek. Noch a kush un noch a kush, Der poyezd geyt avek. Source: Jerry Silverman, The Yiddish Song Book (1999, Scarborough House) Only the last verse is significantly different from the versionas above. Here's Silverman's translation: Outside there's a blizzard blowing And a deep snow. My God, Mother, How my head is filled with woe. No significant differences in the tune. |