November 17, 2007

Over and over



Over and over by Nana Mouskouri

Originally a Russian Yiddish folksong titled Tum Balalaika. Chanced upon it at some event and fell in love with its catchy tune and Yiddish language. Found that there's an English version titled over and over.

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Tum Balalaika lyrics direct translation:

A young lad stands and thinks
Thinks and thinks the whole night
Whom to take and not to embarrass [the others]?
Whom to take and not to embarrass?

Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbalalaika, strum balalaika
Tumbalalaika, may we be happy

Girl, girl, let me ask you
What can grow, grow without rain
What can burn and never end
What can yearn, cry without tears


Foolish lad, why do you have to ask?
A stone can grow, grow without rain
Love can burn endlessly
A heart can yearn, cry without tears

What is taller than a house?
What is swifter than a mouse?
What is deeper than a well?
And what is bitter, more bitter than gall?

A chimney is taller than a house
A cat is swifter than a mouse
The Torah is deeper than a well
Death is bitter, more bitter than gall

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