Transliteration of Hebrew to English Notes about the
Transliteration of Hebrew to English Notes about the Music Eretz (also known as Eretz) is a popular Israeli dance, especially for beginners. The dance is set to the music of the song of the same name. The music and lyrics was created before 1974. The date of creation may give a clue as to what the composer, Shaike Paikov, was attempting to convey by way of the music. 1974 was immediately after the Yom Kippur war when the existence of the state of Israel was in question. The song is unabashedly patriotic as you can see by reading the English translation. This powerpoint presentation has been prepared for Sharon Scherzer’s lecture on May 21, 2017 at the Germantown Jewish Centre. All translations are through Aura Lipski’s Hebrew Songs web site, 1 www. hebrewsongs. com, a sister site to www. israelidances. com. Click to move through the slides
Hebrew to English Notes about the Dance The dance was choreographed in 1974 by Yankale Levy and Shlomo Bachar. It is considered a beginner Israeli dance in its complexity with rather uncomplicated steps and movement only along the circle – no in or outs of the circle. 2
Transliteration Eretz Ve’hashemesh Kid’vash Ve’chalav English Words Of Interest in these Lyrics Land And The Sun Like Milk and Honey Ma Sheyihyeh She’nohav No Matter What Happens That We Will Love Em Va’av A Mother and Father Eretz Shel Ha’am Yam U’frachim Vi’yiladim Ba’tzafon Kineret Ba’darom cholot Land Of The People Sea Flowers and Children In the North Is the Sea Of Galilee In The South Sands Mizrach Le’ma’arav Eretz Hatorah Mekor Ha’or Eretz Yekarah Ein zo Agadah East to the West Land Of Torah Source Of Light Dear Land It Is Not A Fairy Tale Further Explanation Deut 31. 20: Exodus 3. 8 Throughout the Torah Israel is referred to as a land flowing with Milk and Honey The North of Israel’s most prominent feature In contrast to the lushness of the north, he chooses the sands of the Negev as the prominent feature of the South This phrase is taken from Theodore Herzl’s famous quote – If you will it, it is no fairy tale (or dream). Herzl, a journalist who covered the Dreyfus trial in Paris, was the father of modern Zionism. 3
The music begins with Shaike Paikov sitting down at his piano and creating the music. At present – 2017 – Paikov, now 80, has authored over 700 pieces of music both popular, as in this piece, and for orchestral uses. The following is a few biographical facts about Paikov: • • • Born in Tel Aviv in 1937 to a father from the Ukraine Mother died when he was 6 years old Grew up in Ashdot Yaakov, a Kibbutz created by Latvian Jews in 1923. Early influence to music was through his father. Another influence was Arie Vardi, who would become a classical pianist. While at Ashdot Yaakov, he learned to play many different instruments. After military service (he served in 4 of Israel’s wars), he was asked to join the Army Entertainment Group which entertained soldiers at Army Camps Studied music under Abel Ehrlich while at the same time became a elementary educator specializing in music. Was a teacher until 1975 when he became a full time musician and composer. Composed Eretz as a love song to Israel before fully concentrating on his music career. Wrote Eretz Israel Yaffa (the other dance we are looking at) after becoming a full time musician 4
A few words about Shaike and Ashdot Yaakov: Shaike’s real name is Yeshayahu Paikov. Prior to his Mother’s death in 1943, Paikov grew up at the Mikva Israel Agricultural School south of Tel Aviv. After the death of his Mother he moved first to Givat Ha. Shlosha and then to Ashdot Yaakov. The Kibbutz of Ashdot Yaakov was founded by Latvians who immigrated to the territory of Palestine, then under British control. This was at a time that the Zionist movement – returning European Jews to the future land of Israel – would have facilitated the creation of the kibbutz. Sometime after the formation of the state of Israel, the Kibbutz was split up and now consists of Ashdot Yaakov Ihud and Ashdot Yaakov Meuhad. The pictures here are of Ashdot Yaakov Meuhad. 5
Besides writing the music, Shaike also creates the lyrics. As he relates “I composed Eretz as a love song to my country. The whole of Israel can identify with the lyrics of “Eretz”, which are about the past, present and future of the country and its people. ” The patriotism of the song led to its popularity. Coincidentally, while Shaike was writing the lyrics and composing the song, Israel was becoming an arts hub in the Mideast. Its location, between east and west, made it a hub of such activity. It wasn’t always like this; but, since the 1970’s a great liberalization of the arts has been in effect in Israel and we, as Israeli dancers, benefit from it. By the 1970’s, a duet of Ilan and Ilanit had become popular singing what, at that point, would be called pop hits. Ilanit took Shaike’s music and produced a hit record of Eretz, Eretz. The combination of a great singer and great music made this a hit in the country. Such hits were then used by the choreographers at the time to take the dance one step further as you are already aware. Ilanit was a participant in the 1973 and 1977 Eurovision contests. These contests attempt to display Europe’s (including Israel) best vocalists. By spotlighting the artists, all European venues become possibilities for live performances by these artists. Such was the case here. The video that you can access by clicking the picture was created in 1977 in studios in France. 6
The dance steps to Eretz were created by Yankeae Levy and Shlomo Bachar. Levy is one of the pioneers of the modern aspects of Israeli dance. Active since the 1960’s, to the left is a picture of him at the time. He has many dance credits to his name. Levy has also taught the art of dance choreography to many including Bachar. Below is a celebration on 2012 on Levy’s 80 th birthday. 7
This is the Hebrew transliteration to English of another of Shaike Paikov’s well known compositions, Eretz Israel Yafah (Also credited as Eretz Israel Yafa). In this case the music is by Paikov but the lyrics are by Dudu Barak. Compare the lyrics of this dance to that of Eretz. There are many similar words and concepts; however, the lyrics are not as cohesive in “Eretz Yisrael Yafah”. In searching the Aussie database, Barak is represented 105 times as a lyricist of a song used as a dance. 8
The music was composed in the 70’s (before 1980) when Paikov had become a full time musician. As mentioned in the prior slide, the lyrics were created by Dudu Barak. As credited in the Aussie database , the performers who covered this music is the group Lahakat Pikud Darom (We believe this is an armed forces entertainment group) After the music and lyrics were finalized, and the dance became part of the Israeli entertainment industry, the dance we’re familiar with was choreographed in 1980 by Yankele Levy who is also the choreographer of the previous song, Eretz. 9
Some facts about Dudu Barak, the lyricist of Eretz Israel Yafah • Born in 1948 in Jerusalem and always attached to the city • As a child he took part in “Pinat Hayeled” choir which sang on the radio. • In his songs one can find common sayings and expressions as well as quotes from other songs and from the bible. • Barak is both a poet and lyricist. He has written 9 poetry books, 3 children’s books and a book of his lyrics. • To quote Barak: “The lyrics deal with every aspect of life from love and hate to the holocaust” 10
Transliteration English Eretz Israel Yafa Na’ara Tova Yafat Einayim Beautiful land of Israel Nice Girls With Beautiful Eyes Ve’Yeled Tov Yerushalaim And a good boy of Jerusalem Ve’elohim Echad Shelanu Vekol Chatan Vekol Kala And the one God we have And the voice of the Bride and Groom Eretz Israel Porachat At Yoshva Ba Vetzofa At Tzofa ba Vezorachat Harim Alpaim Malach Hashamaim Nafshenu hu shomer Chayalot vegam prachim Ve’habrahot Kulan Shelanu Ve’ha’emek Ve’hatzafon Ve’ha’darom Zahav Ha’shemesh Be’kachol Lavan Am Israel Chai Israel is Blooming You sit and watch You look at her (Israel) and you shine 200 Year Old Mountains An Angel from Heaven Who watches our souls Women soldiers and flowers The Blessings are ours And the Valley And the North And the South is Gold The Sun In Blue and White The people of Israel are alive Further Explanation Phrase comes from Levin Kipnis’ song “Eliezer and Rifka” which Barak learned in second grade This expression was written on the Kippah of a boy who stood next to Dudu in school This is from the book of Song Of Songs and is quoted in many traditional and modern songs. The you in this phrase is feminine Prachim comes from the root “parach” to bloom (see above) 11
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