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Mazel

by Shelley Posen

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1.
When Rosh Hashana comes around We say to those we meet Shana tova u’metuka May this new year be sweet May it be one of happiness May it be one of life May it be one of peace and love Not hate and war and strife. But wishing cannot make it so No matter what we do If God and luck aren’t on our side To help us make it through— So here’s my Rosh Hashana wish Henceforth and evermore To all of us, to everyone A mazeldikeh yor. A mazeldikeh yor, oy yoy, a mazeldikeh yor Ribono shel olam good luck is what we’re asking for Oy, a mazeldikeh yor. The makhzor paints a new year Full of trouble, grief, and woe The list goes, takeh, on and on In never-ending flow— B’yom tzom kipur yeykhateymun Kamah ya’av’run Mi yikhyeh u’mi yamut V’ye’ba’rey’un; Mi ba’esh u’mi bamayim Mi ba’khanika Mi bara’av, mi bakhehrev Mi bamageyfa— We cannot know for certain what The new year holds in store Zol zayn mit mazel—may it be A mazeldikehh yor. A mazeldikeh yor, oy yoy, a mazeldikeh yor Ribono shel olam good luck is what we’re asking for Oy, a mazeldikeh yor. A mazeldikeh yor, oy yoy, a mazeldikeh yor A bisl mazel’s all we need and just a bisl more Oy, a mazeldikeh yor.
2.
On Chanukah, the Feast of Lights We lit the candles for eight nights When I was just a wee small fry And Santa Claus flew right on by. But nowadays, he’s here with me As we all trim the Christmas tree And our house has a magic aura Christmas tree and lit menorah Spinning dreydl, angel chime In these days and at this time There’s double lights On all eight nights Of Chanukah. And Judah Maccabee is here With Rudolph and the eight reindeer With chocolate gelt and model trains Golden latkes, candy canes. And while the candles gently glow There’s carols on the radio And presents wrapped and pudding made Stockings stuffed and dreydl played— We make choices, yea or nay From this mixed holiday buffet A Yuletide log But no eggnog On Chanukah. We visit family far and near For Chanukah or Christmas cheer But back at home, we merge and blend And new ways start and old ways end— There’s holly leaves, red berries, thorns But Rudolph has menorah horns A Christmas morning potpourri Of presents ’neath a tinselled tree Topped by a star no Wise Men saw A mogen dovid – such khutzpa! Reflects the lights On all eight nights Of Chanukah.
3.
On Chanukah 02:48
On Chanukah, the candles bright We light them one by one each night As we recall the miracle Of Chanukah. This is the Feast of Lights The candles brightly shine As in those days and at this time The lights of Chanukah. The Maccabees so long ago They fought against the foreign foe The Temple cleansed, the oil renewed On Chanukah. This is the Feast of Lights The candles brightly shine As in those days and at this time The lights of Chanukah. Rejoice, rejoice and let us sing For news of miracles we bring The many fled before the few On Chanukah. This is the Feast of Lights The candles brightly shine As in those days and at this time The lights of Chanukah.
4.
I like a latke fried crispy and brown And I like a dreydl that’s spinning around Why can’t we have a holiday where both are found? And maybe its name could be "Chanukah.” I’m a sucker for candles lit all in a row And I love a present tied up in a bow What if that holiday came with snow? I believe that its name could be “Chanukah.” A feast with a blessing sung to an old tune And the soft glow of candles when it gets dark too soon— I like a menorah of old polished brass And a dreydl that’s made of wood, lead, or glass I think seven—no, eight!—days is the least it should last And you can bet that its name should be “Chanukah.” A time to remember the heroes of old And that freedom’s more precious than any king’s gold— We gather at this darkest time of the year For latkes and laughter with loved ones so dear Come join us for blessings and holiday cheer On this Feast of Lights that we call Chanukah.
5.
Come friends of the wedding, a toast let us sing To the khosn and kale good wishes we bring Come all you relations on whichever side We’ll gladden the hearts of the bridegroom and bride. [singing…] Mazel tov, mazel Shalom u’brakha M’sameyakh ha-khosn Im ha-kala. Here’s to the k’tuba in all its detail Here’s to the kitl and here’s to the veil Here’s to the brokhes for him and for her Here’s to the ring on her forefinger. [singing…] Here’s to your fathers and mothers also Who embarked on this journey a long time ago They walk down the aisle as parents – horim – And emerge from the khupa as makhatonim. [singing…] Here’s to the khupa, above you it spans You are wed in God’s presence and also in man’s Here’s to the glass that the khosn will smash As Mazel Tov! echoes and cameras flash. [singing…] Come fill up your glasses and everyone rise Drink a toast to the khosn and kala likewise Lekhayim, lekhayim, lekhayim again Shehekhyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu – omeyn! [singing…] Mazel tov, mazel Shalom u’brakha M’sameyakh ha-khosn Im ha-kala [singing…] Mazel tov, mazel tov Mazel we say We wish you gut mazel On your wedding day.
6.
Akhehr 03:09
Whoever you think I used to be I'm different than that now Whatever it is I used to see I don't see it now somehow There's another road I need to walk Another field to plough And whoever you think I used to be I'm different than that now. Akhehr, Akhehr Ani akhshav Akhehr Whoever you think I used to be Ani Akhehr. Debates on ancient points of law— Agree or disagree— That I once took for wisdom No longer interest me I feel no need to question Each chapter, verse, and clause I really don’t care either way I’m not the man I was. It's nothing that I wanted It's nothing that I sought The world has changed and now I find I don't think what I always thought I’m sorry it must be this way But I am not the same I will not miss my old, old self I will not miss my name— Akhehr, Akhehr Ani akhshav Akhehr Whoever you think I used to be Whoever I was, well, that’s not me Go back my friend, now, can’t you see Ani Akhehr.
7.
I was only thirteen but I still can recall Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz In a custom-made suit that was soon much too small Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz My whole class was there and no one had a date We chose random partners and left things to fate When the sweet table beckoned, we each filled our plate Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz. The band started playing, and soon all began Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz Except Uncle Alec and Joe from Poznan Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz They argued in Yiddish for half of the night One from the left side and one from the right Till they reached an entente, ordered schnapps, and got tight Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz. My bobie and zeyda kept time one-two-three Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz Mother and Dad tripped the light so carefree Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz Even the rabbi was out on the floor He and the rebbetzin sure knew the score They called “Mazel tov!” then sashayed out the door Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz. We cha-cha’d and hora’d, we circled and swayed Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz But no matter what music the orchestra played We were dancing the bar mitzvah waltz There were blessings and speeches and even some tears But I think I can say after all of these years The music still echoes so sweet in my ears Dancing the bar mitzvah waltz.
8.
CHORUS I’ll see you Rosh Hashana I’ll see you in the fall T’kiya, shvarim, tru’ah We’ll hear the shofar call Eat apple dipped in honey The family will be here See you Rosh Hashana, see you In the new year. On erev Rosh Hashana We have a family feast Talk of friends and loved ones Both the living and deceased Eat khala dipped in honey And apple slices too And teyglakh and lekakh For a sweet year through and through. What will the new year bring us? Will it be good or bad Will there be want or plenty Will we be content or sad Will we live ’til Rosh Hashana Comes around again? Shana tova tikateyvu Tikhateymu—oy, omeyn!
9.
Miracles 03:07
Chanukah comes once a year With latkes, lights, and laughter But I’ve a wish for you my dear All Chanukahs hereafter— May your miracles last much longer Than just eight days May your Chanukah lights burn stronger And shine always May your memory of those candles And their cheery blaze Keep the joy of Chanukah ever in your heart. The Maccabees were fighters Our sages tell us so And we’ve been candle lighters Since the very first Chanukah long ago May your miracles last much longer Than just eight days May your Chanukah lights burn stronger And shine always May your memory of those candles And their cheery blaze Keep the joy of Chanukah ever in your heart. There’s always times of danger There’s always times of strife But hope is not a stranger If you’ve got a little Chanukah in your life May your miracles last much longer Than just eight days May your Chanukah lights burn stronger And shine always May your memory of those candles And their cheery blaze Keep the joy of Chanukah ever in your— Joy of Chanukah—dreydls spin for— Joy of Chanukah ever in your heart.
10.
The time passes onward, the years circle round With feasts, fasts, and festivals each season is crowned They join past and present, bring distant lands near Unite friends and families as year follows year— In autumn when Tishrei’s new moon is agleam Rosh HaShana begins the yamim nora’im Shana tova tikateyvu, good wishes abound While apple and honey go cheerfully round. Soon t’kiya! will sound as Yom Kippur begins The Day of Atonement, forgiveness from sins The solemn Kol Nidre, the shofar’s loud blast The Book of Life sealed as the judgment is passed. Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim. Just after Yom Kippur, sukkot can be seen In backyards and laneways, their roofs topped with green We welcome ushpizin—in Hebrew, orkhim Shake etrog and lulav—the arba minim. On Shmini Atzeret, we leave the sukkah In time to rejoice upon Simkhat Torah Read the last of Dvarim and the first of Breyshit Then dance with the Torah—its cycle complete. When freezing winds blow through the long winter’s night The candles of Chanukah shed a sweet light As frost nips the air and snow covers the ground We eat golden latkes and dreydls spin round. Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim. More bleak winter days when the fields and lakes freeze Then comes Tu biShvat, the New Year of the Trees Dried figs, dates, and raisins midst winter’s dark gloom Remind us in Israel, the almond’s in bloom. Then Purim, and Esther saves all of the Jews— And with Mordechai evil Haman subdues Megilla and gragars and costumes and fun We eat homentashn—prune filling or mohn. At last winter’s over and springtime draws near We clean out our chometz for Peysakh is here Haroset, maror, karpas, zroah, matzah We sing through the seder right to Chad Gadya. Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim. The Omer begins when the seders are done Then it’s forty-nine days to the sixth of Sivan No weddings, bar mitzvahs, or such revelry Except Lag Ba’Omer (that’s day thirty-three). Shavuot is one of the shlosh regalim To the Temple they came with the first bikurim Today we eat cheesecake and blintzes likewise Then read from the Sages from dusk till sunrise. We grieve for Jerusalem on Tisha B’av The day of deep mourning all others above Our sad lamentations the centuries cross For the Temple’s destruction, and exile and loss. Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim. But hope for the new year becomes our refrain For now Rosh Hashana comes round once again Another year ended, another begun The cycle starts over – but my song is done. Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim Yom, layla, shavua, shavua, shanim Yom tovim, khagim uzmanim.
11.
Packed 02:32
I’ve got a bag packed – always do You never know when they’ll come for you I’ve got some coins sewn in a hem In case there should be need of them Buy safe passage through the strife Buy some food, buy my life. My bag is packed – I’m set to leave I don’t expect that I will grieve If things go south and hell breaks loose It won’t be my head in a noose One if by land, two if by sea They won’t even see the back of me. My bag is ready – odd to some But you just won’t know, until they come In the front, out the rear They’ll find the place, and no one here Come at twilight, come at dawn Come for me and I’ll be gone. My bag is packed—it’s pretty small Shouldn’t weigh me down at all There isn’t much I really need None to clothe, none to feed Things are better down the road Travel light—Unload! Unload! My bag is packed—I know the score Like so many gone before: When the time comes, have no doubt No hesitation, tears—get out! Open the door a tiny crack Whsht! I’m gone—I won’t be back.

about

Shelley’s first Jewish-themed album in 15 years: new songs about Jewish holidays, food, and life. No one writes Jewish songs like this anymore—and maybe never did: klez it ain’t, eclectic it is, in subject and sound: a song about Chanukah and Christmas being celebrated in the same household; a panoramic journey in song through the entire Jewish year of seasonal celebrations; a tribute to an ancient Greco-Roman rebel rabbi; and more. Shelley’s vocals are accompanied by jazz piano, old time banjo, vibes, concertina, and trombone, with James Stephens playing a truly heymishe violin.

credits

released November 14, 2022

With Steve Briggs, Al Cross, Ann Downey, Michael Emenau, Mark Ferguson, Jeff McClintock, Arnie Naiman, Dennis Pendrith, Jaime Posen, Mika Posen, Ian Robb, John Sheard, James Stephens.
Producers: Bill Garrett, James Stephens

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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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