The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #7975   Message #3017527
Posted By: MGM·Lion
28-Oct-10 - 04:52 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Tzena, Tzena, Tzena (Weavers, et al.)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tzena, Tzena (in English)
See my post of 13 Feb 10 on the Novelty Song of 50s thread for further info.

~Michael~


Thread #115413   Message #2838116
Posted By: MGM·Lion
13-Feb-10 - 10:52 AM
Thread Name: 1950s novelty songs
Subject: RE: 1950s novelty songs

"Tzena, Tzena, Tzena," is a song originally written in Hebrew by a Polish emigrant to Palestine (now Israel) and famously recorded by The Weavers somewhere around 1950, I believe. Prior to that, not many were acquainted with it. Guest 6 jan 09 ======
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I learned the Hebrew version, then new I think, in 1946 --

Phonetically —

Tze-na tze-na tze-na tze-na,
Ha-banot, oo-rena
Chyalim ba moshavah

Al-na al-na al-na al na
Al-na tit-chabeh-na
Mi-ben chayil, ish tzavah [ch pronounced as a guttural thruout]

Rough translation: Please come out [x4] girl recruits, & see the young recruits in the village.

Please do not [x5] hide yourselves from the young soldier, man of the army.

(Just in case anyone interested ~ Michael)