Tumbalalaika | Julie Benko

“Tumbalalaika“ is a Yiddish folk song which means “Play the balalaika.“ Translation by Julie Benko Musical credits below Shteyt a bucher, shteyt un er tracht Tracht in tracht a gantze nacht Vemen tzi nemen un nit farshemen Vemen tzi nemen un nit farshemen Once, long ago, there was a young man Who stayed up all night devising his plan He thought up a riddle second to none She who could answer would be the one (Chorus) Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbalalaika, shpiel balalaika Tumbalalaika, freylich zol zayn Maidl, maidl, ‘ch vil bay dir fregn Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on reign Vos ken brenen un nit oyfern Vos ken benken, veynen on trern Tell me, my beauty, tell me if you know, What needs no rain and yet it can grow. Tell me what can burn all through the year Tell me what can yearn and cry without tears Chorus Narishe bucher, vos darfstu fregn A shtein ken vaksn, vaksn on regn Libe ken brenen un nit oyfern A harts ken benken, veynen on trern Oh, foolish boy, surely you know A rock needs no rain, and yet it can grow It’s love that can burn all through the years And a heart that is yearning cries without tears Chorus x2 CREDITS Vocals: Julie Benko Balalaika: Justin Poindexter Piano/Arrangement: Jason Yeager Bass: Danny Weller Drums: Evan Hyde Trumpet: Andy Warren Clarinet: Kenny Pexton Trombone: Ron Wilkins Recorded at Big Orange Sheep, Brooklyn Video by David Spadora, Eight Flow Studio