The Limeliters version of this song was posted in a Limeliters thread. This version is taken from the CD booklet for the Klezmer Conservatory Band Thirteenth Anniversary Album. It's about as lively as a Yiddish song can get - and that's pretty darn lively.
-Joe Offer-
Rumenye, Rumenye (Rumania, Rumania) (Aaron Lebedoff)
Ah, Rumenye, Rumenye...
Geven a mol a land a zise a sheyne
Ah, Rumenye, Rumenye...
Geven a mol a land a zise a fayne.
Dort tsu voynen is a fargenign
Vos dos harts glust dir, dos kenstu krign.
A mameligele, a pastraniele, a karnatsele;
Un a glezele vayn, a-ha!
In Rumenye is dokh gut,
Fun kayn dayges veyst men nit.
Vayn trinkt men iberal
Me farbayst mit kashtaval
Hay, dige, dige dum...
In Rumenye is dokh gut,
Fun kayn zorgn veyst men nit.
Vayn trinkt men, s'meg zayn shpet
Me farbayst mit kastravet
Hay, dige, dige dum...
Oy vey gevald ikh ver meshuge
Kh'lib nor brinze, mamelige,
Kh'tants un frey zikh biz der stelye,
Van ikh es a patlozhele
Dzingma, tay didi didi dam...
Ay, s'iz a mekhaye
Beser ken nit zayn,
Ay, a fargenign iz nor Rumenish vayn
Di Rumener trinkn vayn un esn mamelige,
Ver es kusht zayn eygn vayb,
O yener iz meshuge.
Dzingma, tay didi didi dam...
Ay, s'iz a mekhaye
Beser ken nit zayn
Ay a fargenign iz nor Rumenish vayn
Hay, dige dige dum...
Y'kum purkun min shemaye,
Shteyt un kushat di kekhe, Khaye
Ongeton in alte shkrabes,
Makht a kugel I'koved Shabes.
Zets! tay didi didi dum...
Iz Moshe Khaym ongekumen
Di beste kheylik tsugenumen
Moyshe Khayim Boruch Shmil
Khapt a kitzl in di shtil
Zets!...
Un di meydl nebukh blost-zikh
Un zi vil nit nor di lost-zikh
Oy, Ah...
Zets!
Ay s'iz a mehkaye
Beser ken nit zayn
Ay a fargenign iz nor Rumenish vayn! Ay!
Ay, Rumania, etc...
Once there was a sweet and beautiful land.
Ay, Rumania. etc...
Once there was a fine and beautiful land.
To live there is a pleasure.
You can get whatever your heart desires.
A mamelige, pastrami, sausages,
And a glass of wine, A-ha!
It's good in Rumania.
You don't know worries
Wine is drunk everywhere.
And for dessert a kashtaval.
Hay digi digi dam etc...
It's good in Rumania.
You don't have troubles.
Wine is drunk til it gets late
And for dessert a kastravet
Hay digi digi dam etc...
Oh, help me. I'm going crazy.
I so love cheesy mamelige
I dance with joy up to the ceiling
When I eat a patlozhele
Dzingma Tay etc...
Oh, it's a pleasure.
It can't get any better.
Oh, Rumanian wine is a pleasure.
Rumanians drink wine and eat mamelige
Whoever kisses their own wife
Oh, that person is crazy.
Dzingma! Tay etc...
Oh, it's a pleasure.
It can't get any better.
Oh, Rumanian wine is a pleasure.
Hay digi digi dam etc...
Y'kum purkun min shemaye
Stand and kiss Chaye, the cook
Dressed in old rags
She's making a pudding in honor of the Sabbath.
Zets! Tay etc...
Moshe Khayim comes in
And takes the best part for himself
Moshe Khayim, Boruch Shmil
Grab a tickle when it's quiet
Zets!
And the girl, oh it's a pity, puffs herself up
And she doesn't want to but she still allows a hiss.
Oh, ha, ha...
Zets!
Oh, it's a pleasure.
It can't get any better
Oh, Rumanian wine is a pleasure.