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Manna

by Shelley Posen

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1.
It’s time for us to gather at this season of the year And wish a happy Chanuka to those that we hold dear It lasts but eight short winter days, that isn’t very long Considering we get to sing this cheerful little song— CHORUS: I wanna la-la-la-la-latka Every Cha-Cha-Chanuka night I wanna spin the drey-yey-yeydl With all of my mi-mi-might I wanna li-li-light the candles So they shi-yi-yine so bright I wanna la-la-la-la-latka Every Cha-Cha-Chanuka night The Maccabees defeated evil King Antiocus ’Twas in those days and at this time, their deeds miraculous They showed that even common folk could overcome a king That’s something we remember when on Chanuka we sing— Come polish your menorah, make it shiny as you can Now get the grater ready and your largest frying pan Then dig out all the dreydls you packed up a year ago It’s time to sing this song again to everyone you know— Yes, light the festive candles, let the holiday begin The snow shines bright and cold outside while we are warm within The latkas sizzle on the stove, the dreydls whirl and fall There’s laughter and there’s music as our merry voices call— FINAL CHORUS: I wanna la-la-la-la-latka Every Cha-Cha-Chanuka night I wanna spin the drey-yey-yeydl With all of my mi-mi-might I wanna li-li-light the candles So they shi-yi-yine so bright I wanna la-la-la-la-latka Every Cha-Cha-Chanuka— Lots of fun-uka Eat ‘em by the ton-uka— Cha-Cha-Chanuka night
2.
On Pesakh there’s a wine glass that has no brim On Pesakh there’s a fish that cannot swim On Pesakh there’s some matza that cannot break On Pesakh there is drinking no thirst to slake. How can there be a wine glass that has no brim? How can there be a fish that cannot swim? How can there be some matza that cannot break? And how can there be drinking no thirst to slake? The kos of Eliyahu, it has no brim A fish when it’s gefilte cannot swim When matza’s in a kneydl, it cannot break We drink the arba kosot no thirst to slake.
3.
Es Gezunt! 02:28
I used to feel so guilty when sitting down to dine About how much I like to eat and where my tastes incline But lately I have realized, as I pile my plate with food That given where I’m coming from, I’m eating as I should, for— If the Good Lord had meant Jews to eat healthy food, He would never have given us kishka He’d have given us tofu, like they eat in Japan He’d have made rusks and dulse part of our diet plan He’d have never allowed us salami, chopped liver, corned beef, or pastrami. If God had meant Jews to have healthy insides, He would never have made us eat matza On Passover we’d eat granola instead Or, you know, come to that, He’d just let us eat bread As it is, we go all out of kilter by dining on fish that’s “gefilter.” If the K’dosh Borukh Hu had meant Jews to eat right, we’d have never found out about flanken We’d have had chicken soup and a noodle or two But knishes? Forget it—they’d be strictly taboo And we’d never have grown to adults if as children our tongues had touched shmaltz. If Jews had been meant to be athletes and jocks, we’d have never been tempted by kugel We’d have just eaten yoghurt and crispy rice cakes And for breakfast some fruit with dry toast or bran flakes And we’d all spend the night in de-tox just for eating cream cheese with our lox. Now none of these arguments works on my Dad, who eternally hucks me a tchainik Saying, “Son, you are digging your grave with your teeth And we’ll have to sit shiva when you’re underneath— This is not just an old kukker fibbin’; that’s what happens to those who fress gribn!”
4.
In the Holy Land long ago Israel was conquered by a foreign foe But the tiny army of Judah Maccabee Threw them out and set the people free. Light one candle, cast the darkness out Small can win the day, there’s no doubt That’s what Chanukah is all about Light one candle, cast the darkness out. The Temple menorah needed lots of oil But they only found one jar unspoiled They thought the oil would only last one night Eight days later it was still alight. Light one candle, cast the darkness out Small can win the day, there’s no doubt That’s what Chanukah is all about Light one candle, cast the darkness out. This is the lesson of the Feast of Lights Those that struggle on the side of right— Don’t be discouraged by opposing might It isn’t size but what’s inside that wins the fight. Light one candle, cast the darkness out Small can win the day, there’s no doubt That’s what Chanukah is all about Light one candle, cast the darkness out Light one candle, cast the darkness out.
5.
When I was just a little boy On Peysakh, every spring My zeyda led our seder Reclining like a king It was in Aunt Gerry’s dining room With the crystal chandelier Zeyda raised his cup and chanted In a voice I still can hear. And he sang Ha Lakhma Anya All the way to Khad Gadya While my uncles, aunts, and cousins Followed in the Haggadah And we stole the afikoman And Eliyahu came And each year we grew older But the seder stayed the same. Just after my bar mitzvah My zeyda passed away He was buried in his talis Full of mitzvas, full of days And that Peysakh, at the seder Candles lit and table spread My father sat where Zeyda’d sat And he led as Zeyda’d led. And we sang Ha Lakhma Anya All the way to Khad Gadya We sang Avadim Hayinu And L’shana Haba’a And the youngest asked the kashes Everybody knew their parts Zeyda wasn’t at the seder But he was still there in our hearts. My father led the seder For thirty-seven years His songs and jokes are part of Our seder souvenirs But we lost him late last August We were with him when he died And now I lead the seder With my children by my side. And we sing Ha Lakhma Anya All the way to Khad Gadya All in the proper order From Kadesh to Nirtzah And the voices of the present Join the voices of the past And they all will sing together As long as seders last.
6.
I love to eat on holidays and I will tell you why The answer’s partly knedelakh and partly matza brei And blintzes and gefilte fish and latkes large and small But there is one delectable I love the best of all— (And that is) Homen-, homentashen Those triangles with fillings dark and sweet Homen-, homentashen There’s nothing in this world I’d rather eat I saw a fancy bakery shop and tried to get some there They said, “We have brioches and scones,” I said, “Get outa here!” (I want some) Homen-, homentashen To me, they’re always a treat. The navy found a castaway upon a desert isle He’d lived on fish and coconuts it seems for quite a while The captain brought him T-bone steaks and vintage Bordeaux wine The castaway just looked at him and said, “If you don’t mind—” (I’d like some) Homen-, homentashen Those triangles with fillings dark and sweet Homen-, homentashen There’s nothing in this world I’d rather eat The French may have their croissants and the Yanks their apple pies I’m sure they’re quite delicious but they just don’t tantalize— (Not like my) Homen-, homentashen To me, they’re always a treat. Imagine wand’ring ‘round the desert with the Israelites For forty years they dined on manna morning, noon, and night If I’d been there, I know what I’d have done without delay I’d walk right up to Moses and, “Rabeynu,” I would say— (Can’t we have) Homen-, homentashen Those triangles with fillings dark and sweet Homen-, homentashen There’s nothing in this world I’d rather eat I understand that milk and honey soon will be our fare But just to tide us over, don’t you think that God could spare (A dozen) Homen-, homentashen To me, they’re always a treat. I went into McDonald’s for a nice Filet-O-Fish It came with Coke and French fries and it really was delish To top it off, I looked up at the menu for dessert I didn’t see my favorite and you know that I was hurt (I wanted) Homen-, homentashen Those triangles with fillings dark and sweet Homen-, homentashen There’s nothing in this world I’d rather eat I went up to the manager and said without a blush— “If you can have McNuggets, you can have McHomentash!” (Bring on the) Homen-, homentashen The Purim pastry that’s oh, so tasty—to me, they’re always a treat. (encore/optional verse) Queen Esther threw a banquet for the King and you-know-who Who didn’t know his pretty royal hostess was a Jew The table talk came round to how the Jews would soon be dead Queen Esther turned the tables and Haman was dead instead (Now we’ve got) Homen-, homentashen Those triangles with fillings dark and sweet Homen-, homentashen There’s nothing in this world I’d rather eat Haman had said, “If I don’t get those Jews, I’ll eat my hat,” But Mordecai outsmarted him, and since then WE’VE done that— (We’ve eaten) Homen-, homentashen The Purim pastry that’s oh, so tasty—to me, they’re always a treat.
7.
Rogelakh 00:48
Rogelakh, rogelakh Jewish croissants With cinnamon in ’em an’ Tres élégant. Rogelakh, rogelakh Made with a twist Thin as your finger Or thick as your wrist. Rogelakh, rogelakh Eat a whole bunch For breakfast, for supper For snack or for lunch. Rogelakh, rogelakh Crumbs on your shirt Eat ‘em with coffee Or tea for dessert. Rogelakh, rogelakh Milkhig or parev Delicious for kiddish At Minkha or Ma’arev. Rogelakh, rogelakh Straight or convex Buy ’em with MasterCard VISA or cheques. Rogelakh, rogelakh So long—I'll see ya I'd do this all day But you get the idea! Rogelakh, rogelakh Less than a buck I'm gonna go buy ’em— Goodbye and good luck!
8.
Oh, my mother turns her latkes with an old kitchen knife They’re the very best latkes you ate in your life. And the people fought for freedom with Judah Maccabee It’s Chanukah so come and have some latkes with me. Oh, my mother grates potatoes with one onion small Flour, salt, and baking powder, then eggs to bind all. And the people fought for freedom with Judah Maccabee It’s Chanukah so come and have some latkes with me. Oh, my mother eats her latkes with applesauce fine But I prefer sour cream or sugar on mine. And the people fought for freedom with Judah Maccabee It’s Chanukah so come and have some latkes with me. Oh, my mother she makes latkes that we all do praise And the small cruse of oil lit the Temple eight days. And the people fought for freedom with Judah Maccabee It’s Chanukah so come and have some latkes with me.
9.
Now, the Bal Shem Tov was a very holy man But a man of wealth by no means And all that his wife could put in a pan For his supper was a quart of soup beans. With a scrap of onion and a dash of salt That her one or two coins had bought her And no one could find either flaw or fault When she boiled up the beans in water. CHORUS And the Bal Shem danced (yom biddle biddle bom) And he laughed in his elation And he praised the Lord for the fruits of the earth And the bounty of creation. “Now, my dear,” said the Besht, “when the cooking’s o’er “The soup may be weak in savour “I wonder if there’s anything more “You can add for extra flavour?” She recalled the roast they’d had that week With a bone they’d gnawed since daily So she put it in the beans at a slant oblique Where it simmered away quite gaily. Said she, “My dear, sure as dogs have pups “And in Hebrew, ‘water’ is mayim “The soup would be better for a drop of shnaps That we use to drink lekhayim.” To the top of the cupboard she reached in a flash (For the rebitzn, she was handy) She took down a bottle and poured in a splash Of the Bal Shem Tov’s best brandy. Now, the very first spoonful of soup they tried Was still a bisl shvakh and flaccid Said the Besht, “It really can’t be denied “It could use a bit of something acid.” Said she, “Since Sukkis last year I’ve had The esrog you shook with the lulav”— [Oy! A lebn an dayn kep’!] So a squeeze of lemon they agreed to add By the hand of the Bal Shem’s true love. And that’s how the soup was born, I hear That’s named for the good Bal Shem Tov It’s fine to eat any time of the year Whether khol ha mo’ed or on yomtov. Yes, lots of pleasure it’s sure to give Whatever the week or the day is And whether you’re Reform or Conservative Or a khasid with a beard and peyis.
10.
Azey geyn di yoren It’s us now growing old And finally seeing what we’ve always known That our parents would grow feeble Their memories dim and fade And in the end we all must walk alone. Azey geyn di yoren We visit family graves And leave a little pebble on each stone We invite the dear departed To the simkhas we will hold As if they still were flesh and blood and bone. We look through dusty albums at our family photographs The faces look so happy and so young Early chapters of a story whose ending’s always sad Because of what they’d been and then become — Azey geyn di yoren The women cut and sew The cotton shrouds in which the dead will lie We wear nothing to the grave That says who and what we were It’s jokes and stories we’re remembered by. Azey geyn di yoren The old men at the Y Their lockers echo with the give and take They stand naked at the urinals And watch the waters swirl And never tire of the joke they make — Azey geyt di yoren.
11.
Oh, Chanuka’s come round again Put the latkes on to fry It’s time to watch the dreydls spin Put the latkes on to fry We’ll light the candles one by one We’ll sing some songs and have some fun We light the candles every night Come have a latke, take a bite! We light the candles, one, two, three And sing about the Maccabees We light the candles, six, seven, eight See the stack of latkes on the plate And when the candles are aglow We’ll sing the songs of long ago Sing “Maotzur yeshuati” There’s gifts for you and gelt for me With applesauce and sour cream Eat latkes till we burst a seam Now’s the time for gifts and gelt If the sun don’t shine, then the snow won’t melt My bobe’s menorah sits on the shelf If you want any more you can sing it yourself
12.
Now in the Bible, so I’ve read God called to Abraham and thus he said “Before two days are past and gone “You must sacrifice Isaac, your beloved son.” Oh, don’t despair, there’s a ram in the thicket God is there, there’s a ram in the thicket He hears your prayer, there’s a ram in the thicket There’s a ram in the thicket by the grace of God. Next morning Abraham did depart With a grieving soul and an aching heart He took young Isaac by the hand But he told him not God’s cruel command. “Oh, Father, for the sacrifice “I see the fire, I see the knife “But where’s the lamb?” young Isaac cried “Oh, my son, God will provide.” Then Abraham he bound his son He laid him on the altar stone He raised the knife to do God’s command God called, “Abraham, stay thy hand!” The father freed the son he loved He’d proved his faith to God above Then in the bushes he cast his eyes Saw a ram God sent for a sacrifice. Now there is a moral, the rabbis say The good Lord tests you every day And if your faith is strong and true There’s a ram in the thicket and it’s there for you.
13.
Sheyne Ponim 01:27
Sheyne Punim is mayn meydl Makes my head spin like a dreydl She’s my kugl, I’m her kneydl Such a Sheyne Punim. Sheyne Punim, kenayn horeh Studied at the talmud toreh Knows her Sodom from Gemoreh That’s my Sheyne Punim. Sheyne Punim once had tsoris On a date with my friend Morris Since then he has shlogged kaporis Over Sheyne Punim. Sheyne Punim, she’s a katchke But with her you shouldn’t patchke Your poor heart is just a tchatchke To my Sheyne Punim. Sheyne Punim, ovtzolokhes Every day I’m shepping nakhes Every night I count my brokhes For my Sheyne Punim. Sheyne Punim, Sheyne Punim Blessing from my makhatunim We’ll have kinder—great rabunim— All with sheyne punim.
14.
I was in a kosher deli, it was just the other day When an old man called the waiter and I overheard him say “I’m looking at the menu and the specials on the wall “And I can’t find a thing to eat, ’cause there’s no tongue at all!” You’ve got turkey and pastrami, you’ve got latkes and salami You’ve got pickled peppers packed in jars and crocks You’ve got gribines and knishes, and a zillion kinds of fishes (I see whitefish, sable, cisco, carp, and lox) You’ve got vursht-and-eggs and knakers fressed by all the alte kakers You’ve got kishka, helzl, fricassee, and lung You’ve got gefilte fish and khreyn, you’ve got seltzer (“two cents plain”) So how come you don’t have tongue? I looked the menu over and I saw that he was right There was not a single reference to any “tongue” in sight And just like him I’d always thought, of deli it was king So, khalishing for tongue on rye, I too began to sing: You’ve got cole slaw and dill pickle, you’ve got rye and pumpernickel You’ve got jars of prunes that always get results You’ve got smoked meat by the platter that you trim up lean or fatter I get heartburn just imagining the shmaltz You’ve got kneydelakh and kugel for the spendthrift and the frugal You’ve got khalapches whose praise is widely sung And by all accounts it’s true-ish that deli-wise, you’re Jewish So how come you don’t have tongue? By now the other customers had turned their heads our way And listened to our plea for deli justice and fair play Then all for one and one for all they rallied to our cause And so we sang our song again to thunderous applause: You’ve got corned beef on the slicer and it couldn’t be much nicer You’ve got kreplakh that’ll make a tasty snack You’ve got miltz and pickled herring, and ptcha (now that is daring) And chopped liver that’s an instant heart attack You’ve got cholent, meat or parev, so that no one they should “stareve” You’ve got waiters who were old when they were young You’ve got borshch and matzabray and every kind of khazeray— So how come you don’t have tongue?

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A tsimmes of Shelley originals, funny and sad, about Jewish food, family and festivals. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll run to the fridge.

To download PDF lyric sheets and credits visit: shelleyposen.com/lyrics/

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released January 10, 2003

WITH: Bob Ashley, Guido Basso, William Carn, Sharon Hampson, Bob Hewus, George Koller, Anne Lindsay, Lois Lilienstein, Paul Mills, Bram Morrison, Martin Posen, Wendy Solomon, Chris Whiteley, AND Beyond the Pale (Bret Higgins, Milos Popovic, Eric Stein, Martin van de Ven).

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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario

SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.

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