#jewish music

[etz-ashashiyot]

I'm bored and stuck waiting and happened to remember that on my old blog I had made this statement:

Since I have a minute, I figured I'd finally drop the list with some brief explanations:

1. By Way Of Sorrow - Coyote Grace version

This song and its lyrics, especially as sung by a queer/trans bluegrass band, could not be more Jew-ish in vibe. I am aware this is a cover, but I have only ever heard their version and that's the one that matters to me. I love love love this song, so much, and it perfectly captures how I feel about having been welcomed into the Jewish people after years of exclusion and othering from numerous other quarters. Am Yisrael has taken me in, treated me like family, connected me to the Divine, healed my wounds, and helped me feel as whole as one can in a broken and unredeemed world - while giving me the tools to join the work of tikkun olam myself.

2. The Farthest Field - The Lumber Jills version

This is the best version I could find; the original I was shown I can't find but will link if I do. This song was actually introduced to me by one of my orthodox rabbis, and I agree with him that it can be understood as a beautiful image of geulah.

3. Hallelujah - Coyote Grace & Girlyman

This one just makes me happy, and the words, message, and themes are very on-brand for Jewish vibes as well in my opinion.

4. Be Thou My Vision - old Irish Hymn (this version and this version are my favorites)

This one is very obviously a hymn and therefore decidedly Not Jewish. On the other hand, the words aren't so explicitly Christian that it rules out use by Jews (in my opinion) and especially if you translate the words into Hebrew, it sounds just like a traditional piyyut. (@springstarfangirl if you want to add your beautiful translation, please feel free!)

5. Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss

This is one where I do think the lyrics are a lot closer to being Christian specific, but it makes the list for a couple reasons: first, I've encountered it in Jewish-specific contexts without modification (one of our rabbis actually had us sing it like a regular song during zemirot), and second, there's a modified version by Nefesh Mountain that's quite enjoyable.

6. Whither Thou Goest - traditional

Yes, this one is a hymn too, but the words are directly quoting the Book of Ruth - her famous vows to Naomi, and to the Jewish people - and so it's already practically a Jewish song. It also has a special place of pride for me as a ger, and also because I used it as my wedding song in both the English (as heard in this version) and I also transliterated the Hebrew for our singer to do as well. It works nicely in both languages!

7. Roll the Ol' Chariot - David Coffin

This one I think is a little less direct, but I love it and included it for two reasons: first, it's a song of getting through it and surviving and thriving under tough circumstances, and second, you could very easily put liturgy to this melody instead.

8. For the Autumn Sky - traditional

Ignoring the last verse, this hymn could be very easily adapted into a beautiful Sukkot melody. For the last verse, I'd either simply leave it out, or one could write a Sukkot or Tu Bishvat themed verse to distinguish it. Incidentally, this was one of my favorite hymns growing up.

9. Sanctuary - Shaker melody

The video for this one is obviously mega-Christian, but it's on the list because we actually sing it all the time in shul and it has a special place in my memory from going to camp as a kid. Our shul is definitely not the only one who uses it in a Jewish context, either: this version by Cantor Julia Cadrain is really lovely.

10. Genesis 3:23 - The Mountain Goats

Where are my fellow Mountain Goats fans?? I know you're out there, lol. Look, I know that John Darnielle is coming at this from a Christian perspective, but two things: first of all, TMG has a number of Jewish fans I think at least in part because the lyrics speak deeply to the specific feelings around life (and other people) being horrible to you, surviving, and thriving even in the wake of deep trauma. Second of all, I think this one in particular brings up a number of interesting ideas about the meaning of home, of homecoming, of returning to a home that no longer really exists in the same way, and of exile and redemption. What would it look like to return to Gan Eden? Is this what geulah is supposed to look like, at least in some interpretations? What does it mean if not?

Anyway, this is it for now, but I may add to this list later, because there are definitely a few more! Please also feel free to add your own in the notes!

[unbidden-yidden]

Jewish Song of the Day #11: The Sound of Silence [Yiddish]

Comments:

Okay so the original underlying song isn't Jewish as far as I'm aware.

However, this is the second Jewish cover version I've heard (the Maccabeats also covered it) and this version is also in Yiddish.

I think this may be my second favorite cover version (Disturbed is still my all-time favorite though) and it's beautifully unsettling.

Although the underlying song is relatively secular, there are some strong Jewish pathos invoked by the lyrics: this feeling of shouting truth into the void only to be ignored, secular idolatry that others refuse to see, tikkun olam, being a light unto the nations, etc. The Maccabeats version also has some sharp critique of the lack of connection that we've built up through technology, and highlights the beauty of Shabbat as a chance to unplug and reconnect with one another. I'll probably feature it here too in the future.

[nesyanast]

Thinking about how in 1983 Ofra Haza, a Yemenite-Jew refugee, sang the song Chai at Eurovision in Munich, Germany 11 years after the Munich Massacre and only four decades after the Holocaust, with a song where the chorus says Am Yisrael Chai - The Nation of Israel Lives and it's all about joyous survival. (She placed second)

[applesauce42069]

something i love about us jews: if you put a bunch of us in a room, no matter how many different countries we're from, no matter what languages we speak - we'll be able to sing together

[jewishpopculture]

Doja Cat photographed by Hedi Slimane for V magazine (2023).

Doja is an American rapper and singer of Jewish and Zulu descent.

[fdelopera]

Etz Chaim, Tree of Life, is one of my favorite Jewish prayers (especially this melody), and I love singing it on Tu Bishvat. Tu Bishvat sameach!

[spacelazarwolf]

i love jewish music so fucking much.

[matan4il]

Hi, all! I know I have some asks to reply to and I will, but this weekend is Rosh Ha'Shana, the Jewish New Year, and I will be with my family. I hope you can be patient with me until I can reply to you.

To all Jews who see this: may a year and its curses end, may a year and its blessings begin.

As we watch antisemitism rise, as hatred in general intensifies, I am going to choose to intensify my love. I will love you, my fellow Jews, more than ever, and I will love you, my fellow humans, more than ever. May we all find the blessing that exists in each day.

Adding a Yemenite Jewish traditional song for Rosh Ha'Shana performed in a modern (and lovely IMO) arrangement. Shana tova u'metuka!

[jewish-culture-is]

Jewish culture is better hannukah songs than that Adam Sandler one (seriously, look up the Klezmatics)

I don't even know what "that adam sandler one" is if I'm being honest, but one of my all time fav chanukah songs is s'vivon :]

[dozydawn]

Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski Original Dance “Waltz” 1998.

Tumbalalaika by The Barry Sisters.

[jewish-song-of-the-day]

Jewish Album of the Week: Simu Lev

Y'ALL

It's finally out!! Simu Lev is here, and it's exactly as amazing as I'd hoped!!!

Please listen to this and enjoy this with me, I promise you won't regret it!!!

[unbidden-yidden]

Jewish Song of the Day #2: The Narrow Bridge

Comments:

This is one of several versions of a famous Jewish song: Gesher Tsar Me'od

I absolutely adore Nefesh Mountain for being so wonderfully Jewish and culturally American, in the sense that bluegrass is so deeply rooted in americana - it is truly a Jewish-American sound

You'll hear more of my faves from Nefesh Mountain in the future, don't worry

I chose this out of the many songs of theirs that I love because I've been listening to it lately and it's been giving me a lot of chizuk [strength]

[gayshadowgov]

A very very niche meme about a song I heard at Jewish sleep away camp as a kid and still listen to today. Go listen to “Ha’ish Hayarok”/האיש הירוק by Yehonatan Gefen, it’s in Hebrew but you can see the translation here x. It has some of the most beautiful piano I’ve ever heard.

[Description in alt text.]

Original post: x

[jewishpopculture]

George Michael photographed by Herb Ritts for Interview magazine’s October 1988 issue.

In 2008, Michael revealed to the Los Angeles Times that his maternal grandmother was Jewish, but she married a non-Jewish man and raised her children with no knowledge of their heritage due to her fear during World War II.

Photographer Herb Ritts was also of Jewish descent.

[nesyanast]

How beautiful is the Ladino ✡️ language! I read this song is common at Sephardi weddings, but this version gives it such an enchanting ethereal vibe to it. I can't stop playing this track on Spotify, my new song fixation of the week.