Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>]

HANUKKAH POEM - in YIDDISH

'Twas the night before Chanukah, boichiks and
maidels
Not a sound could be heard, not even the dreidels
The menorah was set by the chimney alight
In the kitchen, the Bobba was chopping a bite
Salami, Pastrami, a glezzele tay
And zoyere pickles mit bagels -- Oy vay!
Gezunt and geschmeckt the kinderlach felt
While dreaming of taiglach and Chanukah gelt
The alarm clock was sitting, a kloppin' and
tickin'
And Bobba was carving a shtickele chicken
A tummolt arose, like the wildest k'duchas
Santa had fallen right on his toochus!
I put on my slippers, ains, tzvay, drei
While Bobba was eating herring on rye
I grabbed for my bathrobe and buttoned my guttkes
And Bobba was just devouring the latkes
To the window I ran, and to my surprise
A little red yarmulka greeted my eyes.
When he got to the door and saw the menorah
"Yiddishe kinder," he cried, "Kenahorah!"
I thought I was in a Goyishe hoize!
As long as I'm here, I'll leave a few toys."
Mama said,"Come into the kitchen, I'll get you a
dish
Mit a gupel, a leffel, and a shtickele fish."
With smacks of delight he started his fressen
Chopped liver, knaidlach, and kreplach gegessen
Along with his meal he had a few schnapps
When it came to eating, this boy sure was tops
He asked for some knishes with pepper and salt
But they were so hot he yelled out "Gevalt!"
He loosened his hoysen and ran from the tish
"Your kushereh meals are simply delish!"
As he went through the door he said "See y'all
later
I'll be back next Pesach in time for the seder!"
So, hutzmir and zeitzmir and "Bleibt mir gezint"
He called out cheerily into the wind.

More rapid than eagles, his prancers they came

As he whistled and shouted and called them by
name

"Come, Izzie, Moishe, now Yossel and Sammy!

On Oyving, Maxie, and Hymie and Manny!"
He gave a geshrai, as he drove out of sight

"A gutte yontiff to all, and to all a good
night!"



Happy Hannukah to you and yours... I wish you
peace health, happiness,
and prosperity