Aramaic Jewish Song - Wow

[Paul Younan]

Very catchy tune....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPH5PhxkS...319446BA90

The poem "Ya ribbon alam" (God lord of the world) Written by Rabbi Israel ben moshe Najara, one of the most important Jewish poets since the 16th century. Rabi Najara (1550-1628)Lived In Safed (North Israel) in 1550, he also lived in Damascus and eventually moved to Gaza (South Israel), where he used as the Gaza jewish community rabi. He is buried in the ancient Jewish cemetery in Gaza. His son, Moses Najara was also a poet, who succeeded his father as the chief rabbi of Gaza.

Although the poet is Aramaic, this song gained widespread popularity throughout the jewish world. After relating the wonders of God's creation, the poet concludes with a prayer that God may redeem his people and lead them to his chosen sanctuary in Jerusalem, where the souls will rejoice with songs and meditations.

transcript:
YA RIBON ALAM V'ALMAYA ANT HU MALKA MELECH MALCHAYA OVAD GEVURTECH VE'TIMHAYA SH'FAR KADAMACH L'HACHVAY

SHEVACHIN ASADER TSAFRA V'RAMSHA LACH ELAHA KADISHA DI BRA KOL NAFSHA IRIN KADISHIN UBNEI ENASHA CHEIVAT B'RA V'OFEY SHMAYA

RAVRIVIN OV'DEICH VE'TAKIFIN MACHICH RAMAYA V'ZAKIF KIFIFIN LU YICHYEH GEVAR SHENIN ALFIN LO YEY'OL GEVORTECH BECHUSHBENAYA

ELAHA DI LEY YEKAR UREVUTA, PEROK YAT ANACH MIPUM ARYAVATA VE'APEK YAT AMEICH MIGO GALUTA AMEICH DI BECHART MIKOL UMAYA

LEMIKDASHECH TUV ULKODESH KUDSHIN ATAR DI BEY YECHDUN RUCHIN VENAFSHIN VI'YEZAMRUN LACH SHIRIN VERACHSHIN' BIYERUSHELEIM KARTA DESHUFRAYA.

[Aaron S]

Here's the Aramaic text in Asshuri script with its transliteration and translation: (it autoloads 6 different versions of the song if you visit the page with QuickTime enabled)
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.zemirotdatabase.org/view_song.php?id=56">http://www.zemirotdatabase.org/view_song.php?id=56</a><!-- m -->

The translation given in the above page:
God, Sovereign of all the Worlds, You are the Ruler, above all rulers. Your mighty deeds and wonders, it is beautiful to declare before You.
I speak your praises both morning and evening, to You, Holy God, who created all Life: Sacred spirits and human beings, beasts of the field and birds of the sky.
Great and mighty are your deeds, humbling the proud and raising the humble. Even if one were to live a thousand years, these would not suffice to fathom Your might.
O God, to whom glory and greatness belong, save Your flock from the lions' jaws. Bring Your people out of exile, the people which You chose from among all nations.
Return to Your Temple and to the Holy of Holies, the place where spirits and souls can rejoice. They will sing to You songs and melodies in Jerusalem, city of beauty.

[borota]

Here?s over 1 hour bonanza of Jewish/Aramaic/Ladino songs powerfully sung by HaZamir choir. Every time I listen to them, I get watery eyes.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://videos.shalomtv.com/video/hazamir-high-school-choir-concert">http://videos.shalomtv.com/video/hazami ... ir-concert</a><!-- m -->

"Ya ribbon alam" starts at minute 51. Some songs have the English version as well.

Enjoy,
Greg