The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #7975   Message #48551
Posted By: SteveF
08-Dec-98 - 09:47 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Tzena, Tzena, Tzena (Weavers, et al.)
Subject: RE: Lyrics for Tzena, Tzena
Thanks, Gene, I had not heard that version before. Curiously enough, it is a faithful translation of the Hebrew. Most people are surprised, even shocked, when they discover that Tzena is a song that encourages girls to welcome the advances of soldiers. In fact, why don't I just offer the original, and its translation:

Tzena
Words adapted from a text by Y. Hagiz;
Music by Issachar Miron and Julius Grossman

Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
habanot ur'enah
chayalim bamoshavah
Al-na (4x) al na titchabenah
mi ben-chayil ish tzava.

Tzena, Tzena, habanot ur'enah
chayalim bamoshavah
Al-na (2x) al na titchabenah
mi ben-chayil ish tzava.

Tzena! (21x)

Translation:
"Go forth, O daughters and see the soldiers in the settlement.
Don't hide yourself from a soldier, a military man."

Now, does anyone know the lyrics made famous by the Weavers?