The Music of

Gather Round Songbook

Linda Hirschhorn

Becoming

More Hebrew Canons, Rounds, and Musical Settings
1995

The Songs

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Note: This is now a double songbook of 53 songs that combines all the music from the Gather Round Songbook and the original Music of Linda Hirschhorn Songbook.

1. ’Ilu Finu
2. Nigun
3. Miriam's Slow Snake Dance
4. Ruth and Naomi
5. Ki Hém Khayéinu
6. As a Lily
7. Bechàl Dor Vàdor
8. My Beloved
9. ’Im ’Éin ’Ani Li
10. Marbèh
11. Chanukah / Solstice
12. Ve‘al Hakol
13. Yom Shabàton
14. Qàrév Yom
15. Ufàrsu Làrà‘év
16. ’Al Tifros
17. Let Justice Run Down
18. Kiddush
19. Blessing After the Meal
20. ’Or Khàdàsh
21. Mizmor Shir I
22. Circle Chant
23. Sim Shàlom
24. ‘Al Shloshàh Devàrim
25. Refàh Nà’ Làh
26. Refàh Nà’ Làh II
27. ’Éshèt Khayil
28. Tnu Làh Mipri Yàdèhà
29. Shifchi Kamayim Libéch
30. Sham‘àh Vatismakh Tsiyon
31. ‘Àzi Vezimerat Yàh
32. Blessing Before the Meal
33. Yismekhu Hashàmayim
34. Hallowing Our Namings
35. Stepping Lightly
36. The Berry Song
37. Wings Span
38. I Have a Million Nightingales
39. Not By Might But With Love
40. If Not Now
41. If You Can Walk
42. Roots and Wings
43. ’Éli ’Éli
44. Ve’érastich Li
45. Libavtini
46. Hashmi‘ini
47. Haréh ’At
48. Mizmor Shir II
49. R’osh Khodèsh Candlelighting
50. Blessing for Children
51. Nitsanéi Shàlom
52. Zog Maran
53. Mayn Rue-Platz

’Ilu Finu

Mayn Rue Platz Nigun

1. ’Ilu Finu
   Text: Liturgy; English translation © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
   Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   אִֽילוּ פִֽינוּ מָלֵא שִׁירָה כַּיָם
   

   ’Ilu finu màlé’ shiràh kayàm.
   

   Let us have songs to fill our mouths as full as the sea.
   

   
   

Nigun

’Ilu Finu Miriam's Slow Snake Dance

2. Nigun
   Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   
   

Miriam's Slow Snake Dance

Nigun Ruth and Naomi

3. Miriam's Slow Snake Dance
   Text, Music: © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   Lai dai-dai dai, lai dai-dai.
   Lai dai-dai dai, lai dai-dai-dai.
   Lai dai-dai-dai dai-dai-dai dai-dai-dai.
   Lai dai-dai-dai, lai dai-dai-dai.
   

   מִרְיָם, מִרְיָם
   בִּמְהֵרָה, בִּמְהֵרָה
   נָא לַמדִֽינוּ, נָא לַמדִֽינוּ
   רִקוּדַֽיִך, רִקוּדַֽיִך
   

   Miryàm, Miryàm,
   bimhéràh, bimhéràh,
   nà’ lamdinu, nà’ lamdinu,
   riqudayich, riqudayich.
   

   [Miriam, come quickly! Please teach us your dances!]
   

   Dancing the songs of freedom
   by the riverside,
   oh, you were dancing the songs of freedom
   by the riverside.
   

   Singing the dance of freedom.....
   by the riverside,
   oh, you were singing the dance of freedom
   by the riverside.
   

   
   

Ruth and Naomi

Miriam's Slow Snake Dance Ki Hém Khayéinu

4. Ruth and Naomi
   Text, Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   We'll return with you unto your land,
   return unto your land.
   Go back, go back, my daughters,
   I feel the wrath of God's hand.
   

   Shovnàh, shovnàh, bnotài,
   yàts’àh vi yad-Hashém.
   

   Ruth then said to Naomi
   “Keep me not from your side.
   Whither thou goest, I will go.
   Your land and God shall be mine.
   I will go, I will go, I'll sleep with you.
   ’Éléch, ’éléch ve’àlin. And I will sleep.”
   

   A stranger is only as strange
   as the distance we keep from our hearts.
   It's not ours to complete the task,
   only ours to start.
   

   “Do not keep me from your side,
   I'll follow you.
   Whither thou goest, I will go.
   I'll sleep with you.
   I will go, I will go, I'll sleep with you.
   ’Éléch, ’éléch ve’àlin. And I will sleep. Ve’àlin.”
   

   
   

Ki Hém Khayéinu

Ruth and Naomi As a Lily

5. Ki Hém Khayéinu
   Text: Liturgy
   Music: Linda Hirschhorn © 1989
   

   כִּי הֵם חַיֵֽינוּ
   וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֵינוּ
   וּבָהֶם נֶהֱגֶה
   יוֹמָם וַלָֽיְלָה
   

   Ki hém khayéinu,
   ve’orèch yàméinu,
   uvàhèm nèhgèh
   yomàm valàilàh.
   

   [For they are our lives
   and the length of our days.
   And upon them will we ponder
   day and night.]
   

   
   

As a Lily

Ki Hém Khayéinu Bechàl Dor Vàdor

6. As a Lily
   Words from The Song of Songs
   Music © 1980 by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   As a lily among the thorns
   so is my love among the daughters;
   As an apple tree among the trees of the wood
   so is my love among the sons.
   Behold thou dost shine, my love,
   thine eyes are as doves behind the veil.
   

   כְּשׁוֹשַׁנָה בֵּין הַחוֹחִים
   כֵּן רַעְיָתִי בֵּין הַבָּנוֹת
   כְּתָפּוּחַ בְּעַצֵי הַיַעַר
   כֵּן דוֹדִי בֵּין הַבָּנִים
   הִנָךְ יָפָה רַעְיָתִי
   עֵינַיִךְ יוֹנִים מִבַּעַד לְצַמָתֵךְ
   

   Kshoshanàh béin hakhokhim
   kén ra‘yàti béin habànot;
   ketapuakh be‘atséi haya‘ar
   kén dodi béin habànim.
   Hinàch yàfàh ra‘yàti,
   ‘éinayich yonim miba‘ad letsamàtéch.
   

   
   

Bechàl Dor Vàdor

As a Lily My Beloved

7. Bechàl Dor Vàdor
   Text: Adapted from Passover Liturgy
   Music: Linda Hirschhorn © 1989
   

   בְּכָל דוֹר וָדוֹר
   חַיָבִים לִרְאוֹת אֶת עַצְמֶֽנוּ
   כְּאִֽלוּ כֻּלָֽנוּ יָצְאָֽנוּ
   מִמִצְרָֽיִם
   

   Bechàl dor vàdor
   khayàvim lir’ot ’èt ‘atsménu.
   ke’ilu kulànu yàtsà’nu
   mimitsràyim.
   

   In every generation
   we must each feel we are going
   from slavery to freedom;
   from slavery to freedom.
   

   
   

My Beloved

Bechàl Dor Vàdor ’Im ’Éin ’Ani Li

8. My Beloved
   Words adapted freely from The Song of Songs
   Music © 1980 by Linda Hirschhorn
   

   My beloved spoke
   and said unto me:
   "Rise up , my love, my fair one,
   and come, come away,
   come, come away!"
   

   I sleep, but my heart lies awake;
   a whispering voice does say:
   "Arise, my love, my fair one,
   and come, come away!
   Come, come away!"
   

   I am my beloved's,
   my beloved is mine,
   until the day breaks
   and shadows fall away.
   Come, come, come,
   come, come away!
   

   I call to thee in the streets.
   I call to thee in the fields.
   Arise, my love, my fair one,
   and come, come away,
   come, come away!
   

   Spices blow in the wind
   down to our gardens below
   until the day breaks and shadows fall away.
   Come, come, come, come, come away!
   And the voice of love is heard in the land:
   Come, come, come,
   come, come away!
   

   
   

’Im ’Éin ’Ani Li

My Beloved Marbèh

9. ’Im ’Éin ’Ani Li
   Text: Hillel
   Music: Linda Hirschhorn © 1989
   

   אִם אֵן אַנִי לִי מִי לִי
   וּכשְׁאַנִי לְעַצְמִי מָה אַנִי
   וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו אֵימָתַי
   

   ’Im ’éin ’ani li, mi li?
   Uchshe’ani le‘atsmi, màh ’ani?
   ve’im lo’ ‘achshàv, ’éimàtai?
   ’éi, ’éimatai?
   

   [If I am not for myself, then who will be?
   When I am only for myself, what am I?
   And if not now, then when?
   Then when?.]
   

   
   

Marbèh

’Im ’Éin ’Ani Li Chanukah / Solstice

10. Marbèh
    Text: Hillel in Pirkei 'Avot
    Music: © Linda Hirschhorn
    

    מַרְבֶּה בָּשָׂר מַרְבֶּה רִימָה
    מַרְבֶּה נְכָסִים מַרְבֶּה דְאָגָה
    מַרְבֶּה תּוֹרָה מַרְבֶּה חַיִים
    מַרְבֶּה צְדָקָה מַרְבֶּה שָׁלוֹם
    מַרְבֶּה יְשִׁיבָה מַרְבֶּה חָכְמָה
    מַרְבֶּה עֵצָה מַרְבֶּה תּבוּנָה
    

    Marbèh bàsàr, marbèh rimàh.
    Marbèh nechàsim, marbèh de’àgàh.
    Marbèh Toràh, marbèh khayim.
    Marbèh tsedàqàh, marbèh shàlom.
    Marbèh yeshivàh, marbèh khàchmàh.
    Marbèh ‘etsàh, marbèh tvunàh.
    

    More meat, more worms.
    More money, more worry.
    More Torah, more life.
    More justice, more peace.
    More study, more wisdom.
    More counsel, more insight.
    

    
    

Chanukah / Solstice

Marbèh Ve‘al Hakol

11. Chanukah / Solstice
    Text, Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    Turning, turning, spirits yearning,
    reaching for the night.
    Colors going, shadows growing,
    darkening the light.
    

    Ancient stories told,
    renewed with the cold.
    Mystery of light
    burnt into the night.
    

    
    

Ve‘al Hakol

Chanukah / Solstice Yom Shabàton

12. Ve‘al Hakol
    Text: from Birkat Hamazon
    Music: Linda Hirschhorn © 1989
    

    וְעַל הַכֹּל מוֹדִים אַנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ
    עַל הָאָֽרֶצ הַטוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָךְ
    וּמְפַרְנֵס אוֹתָנוּ
    בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה
    

    Ve‘al hakol modim ’anakhnu làch
    ‘al hà’àrèts hatovàh ’ashèr nàtan làch
    umefarnés ’otànu
    bechàl yom uvchàl ‘ét uvchàl shà‘àh.
    

    [And for everything we thank you,
    for the good earth you provided,
    nourishing us,
    every day, every moment, every hour.]
    

    
    

Yom Shabàton

Ve‘al Hakol Qàrév Yom

13. Yom Shabàton
    Text: Friday night zmirot
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    יוֹם שַׁבָּתֹן אֵין לִשׁכֹּחַ
    זִכְרוֹ כְּרֵיחַ הַנִחֹחַ
    יֹנָה מָצְאָה בוֹ מַנוֹחַ
    וְשָׁם יָנוּֽחוּ יְגִיעֵי כֹּחַ
    

    Yom shabàton ’éin lishkoakh.
    Zichro keréakh hanikhoakh.
    Yonàh màts’àh vo mànoakh
    veshàm yànukhu yegi‘éi koakh.
    

    [A day of Sabbath rest.
    As hard to forget as sweet scent.
    The dove finds comfort
    and there the weary rest.]
    

    
    

Qàrév Yom

Yom Shabàton Ufàrsu Làrà‘év

14. Qàrév Yom
    Text: Pirkei d-Rabbi Eliezer
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    קָרֵב יוֹם אַשֶׁר הוּא
    לֹא יוֹם וְלֹא לַיְלָה
    רׂם הוֹדַע כִּי לְךָ הַיוֹם אַפ לְךָ הַלַילָה
    

    Qàrév yom ’ashèr hu’
    lo’ yom velo’ lailàh.
    Héi ràm hodà‘
    Ki lechàh hayom ’af lechàh halailàh.
    

    [A day approaches which is
    neither day nor night.
    Most high, let it be known
    that yours is the day and yours is the night.]
    

    
    

Ufàrsu Làrà‘év

Qàrév Yom ’Al Tifros

15. Ufàrsu Làrà‘év
    Text: adapted from Isaiah 58
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn; based on High Holiday cantillation mode
    

    וּפָרְסוּ לָרָעֵב לַחְמְכֶם
    וְלַעֲנִיִים מְרוּדִים תָּבִאוּ בָּיִת
    וַאֲרוּכָה מְהֵרָה תצְמַח
    

    Ufàrsu làrà‘év lakhmechèm.
    Vela‘aniyim merudim tàvi’u bàyit,
    va’aruchàh mehéràh titsmakh.
    

    [Distribute to the hungry your bread.
    Bring the outcast poor to your home,
    and healing will quickly flourish.]
    

    
    

’Al Tifros

Ufàrsu Làrà‘év Let Justice Run Down

16. ’Al Tifros
    Text: adapted from Hillel and Linda Hirschhorn and David Cooper
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    אַל תִּפְרוֹשׂ מִן הַצִבּוּר
    אַל תִּשְׁכַּח עָצְמַת הָעֵדָה
    אַל תִּרְחֵק מִן קְהַל הַקֹדֶשׁ
    

    ’Al tifros min hatsibur.
    ’Al tishkakh ‘àtsmat hà‘édàh.
    ’Al tarkhéq min qehal haqodésh.
    

    [Don't separate yourself from the community.
    Don't forget the power of the people. Don't distance yourself from the holy congregation.]
    

    
    

Let Justice Run Down

’Al Tifros Kiddush

17. Let Justice Run Down
    Text: adapted from Shoftim and Amos
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    צֶֽדֶק, צֶֽדֶק תִּרְדְפוּ
    וְיִגְאַל כַּמַֽיִם
    מִשְׁפַּט וּצְדַקָה
    כְּןַחַל אֵיתָן
    

    Tsèdèq, tsèdèq tirdefu
    veyig’al kamayim.
    Mishpat utsedaqàh
    kenakhal ’éitàn.
    

    Let it roll like
    waters and righteousness:
    a mighty stream,
    roll.
    

    
    

Kiddush

Let Justice Run Down Blessing After the Meal

18. Kiddush for New Holidays
    Text: Marcia Lee Falk
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    נְבָרֵך אֶת עֵין הַחַיִים
    מַצְמִיחַת פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן
    וְנִשְׁזוֹר אֶת סְרִגֵי חַיֵֽינוּ
    בְּמַסֹרֶת הָעָם
    

    Nevàréch ’èt ‘éin hakhayim
    matsmikhat peri hagàfen
    venishzor ’èt srigéi khayéinu
    bemasorèt hà‘àm.
    

    [Let us bless the source of life
    that ripens the fruit on the vine
    as we weave the branches of our lives
    into the tradition of our people.]
    

    
    

Blessing After the Meal

Kiddush ’Or Khàdàsh

19. Blessing After the Meal
    Words © 1988 by Marcia Lee Falk 1988 from The Book of Blessings: New Jewish Prayers for Daily Life, the Sabbath, and the New Moon Festival [Harper & Row, 1990 preprint edition] used with permission
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    נוֹדרה לְעֵין הַחַיִים עַל הָאָרֶץ וְעַל הַמָזוֹן
    נִשְׁמוֹר עַל הָאָרֶץ וְהִיא תְקַיימֵינוּ
    וּנְבַקֵשׁ מָזוֹן לַשֹׂבַע לְכָל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל
    

    Nodèh le‘éin hakhayim ‘al hà’àrèts ve‘al hamàzon.
    Nishmor ‘al hà’àrèts vehi’ teqaiméinu.
    Unevaqésh màzon lasova‘ lechàl yoshvéi tévél.
    

    [Let us acknowledge the source of life for the earth and its nourishment.
    May we protect the earth that it may sustain us,
    and let us seek sustenance for all who inhabit the world.]
    

    
    

’Or Khàdàsh

Blessing After the Meal Mizmor Shir I

20. ’Or Khàdàsh
    Text: Liturgy
    Music © 1989 by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    אוֹר חָדָשׁ עַל צִיוֹן תָאִיר
    וְנִזְכֶּה כֻּלָֽנוּ מְהֵרָה לְאוֹרוֹ
    

    ’Or khàdàsh ‘al tsiyon tà’ir,
    venizkèh kulànu mehéràh le’oro.
    

    [A new light will shine on Zion;
    Soon may we be worthy of its light.]
    

    
    

Mizmor Shir I

’Or Khàdàsh Circle Chant

21. Mizmor Shir
    Text: adapted from liturgy
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְשַׁבָּת
    בּוֹֽאִי כַּלָה בּוֹֽאִי מַלְכָּה
    

    Mizmor shir leshabàt.
    Bo’i kalàh, bo’i malkàh.
    

    [Sing a song for Shabbat.
    Come, O bride; come, O queen.]
    

    
    

Circle Chant

Mizmor Shir I Sim Shàlom

22. Circle Chant
    Text, Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    Circle round for freedom,
    circle round for peace.
    For all of us imprisoned,
    circle for release.
    

    Circle for the planet,
    circle for each soul.
    For the children of our children,
    keep the circle whole.
    

    
    

Sim Shàlom

Circle Chant ‘Al Shloshàh Devàrim

23. Sim Shàlom
    Text: Liturgy
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה. שִׂים שָׁלוֹם
    שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה. שִׂים שָׁלוֹם
    שִׂים שָׁלוֹם. שִׂים שָׁלוֹם
    

    Sim shàlom tovàh uvràchàh. Sim shàlom.
    Sim shàlom tovàh uvràchàh. Sim shàlom.
    Sim shàlom. Sim shàlom.
    

    [Grant peace, welfare, and blessing.]
    

    
    

‘Al Shloshàh Devàrim

Sim Shàlom Refàh Nà’ Làh

24. ‘Al Shloshàh Devàrim
    Text: Liturgy
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    עַל שְׁלוֹשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם, הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד
    עַל שְׁלוֹשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם, הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד
    עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד
    

    ‘Al shloshàh devàrim ha‘olàm, hà‘olàm ‘oméd.
    ‘Al shloshàh, shloshàh devàrim ha‘olàm ‘oméd:
    ‘Al hatoràh, ve‘al ha‘avodàh, ve‘al gemilut chasàdim ha‘olam ‘oméd.
    

    [The universe stands on three pillars:
    on the Torah, on worship, and on the practice of kindness.]
    

    
    

Refàh Nà’ Làh

‘Al Shloshàh Devàrim Refàh Nà’ Làh II

25. Refàh Nà’ Làh
    Text: Liturgy
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    אָנָא אֵל נָא רְפָה נָא לָה

    ’Ànà’ ’Él nà’ refàh nà’ làh.
    

    [Please heal her.]
    

    
    

Refàh Nà’ Làh II

Refàh Nà’ Làh ’Éshèt Khayil

26. Refàh Nà’ Làh II
    Text: Liturgy
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    אָנָא אֵל נָא רְפָה נָא לָה

    ’Ànà’ ’Él nà’ refàh nà’ làh.
    

    [Please heal her.]
    

    
    

’Éshèt Khayil

Refàh Nà’ Làh II Tnu Làh Mipri Yàdèhà

27. ’Éshèt Khayil
    Text: Proverbs 31:10
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn and Fran Avni
    

    אֶֽשֶׁת חַיִל מִי יִמְצָא
    

    ’Éshet khayil mi yimtsà’?
    

    [A woman of valor who can find?]
    

    
    

Tnu Làh Mipri Yàdèhà

’Éshèt Khayil Shifchi Kamayim Libéch

28. Tnu Làh Mipri Yàdèhà
    Text: Proverbs 31:10
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn and Fran Avni
    

    תְּנוּ לָה מִפְּרִי יָדֶֽיהָ
    וִיהַלְלוּֽהָ מַעֲשֶֽׂיהָ
    

    Tnu làh mipri yàdèhà
    Vihaleluhà ma'asèhà.
    

    [Give to her the fruits of her hands
    and praise her works.]
    

    
    

Shifchi Kamayim Libéch

Tnu Làh Mipri Yàdèhà Sham‘àh Vatismakh Tsiyon

29. Shifchi Kamayim Libéch
    Text: Lamentations
    Music: © by Linda Hirschhorn
    

    שִׁפְכִי כַּמַֽיִם, כַּמַֽיִם לִבֵּךְ
    שִׁפְכִי כַּמַֽיִם, כַּמַֽיִם לִבֵּךְ
    

    Shifchi kamayim, kamayim libéch.
    Shifchi kamayim, kamayim libéch.
    

    And pour out, pour out, pour out your hearts like water.
    Pour out, pour out, pour out your hearts.
    And remember, remember, remember, remember.
    

    
    

Sham‘àh Vatismakh Tsiyon