TZENA, TZENA, TZENA
(Gordon Jenkins?)

Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena,
Can’t you hear the music playing
In the city square?
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there.

Tzena, Tzena,
Join the celebration,
There’ll be people there from
Every nation.
Dawn will find us
Laughing in the sunlight
Dancing in the city square.

Tzena, Tzena,
(Clap) Come and dance the hora.
Dance the dabkih,
Sing with me, we’ll dance together
Tzena, Tzena,
(Clap) When the band is playing
My heart’s saying
“Tzena, Izena, Tzena!”


Note: The transliterations reflect the sounds for American readers rather than customary spellings.



page 84 Sing Out! • Vol. 43#1 • Summer 1998

Note from Joe: as far as I can tell, this is the translation of the lyrics by Decca Musical Director Gordon Jenkins (1910-1984). Another translation was made by Mitchell Parish, who wrote lyrics to songs such as "Star Dust," "Sweet Lorraine," "Deep Purple," "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Sophisticated Lady," and other well-known songs.



-Joe-