Researching Yiddish penny songs (tenement song broadsides of theater and variety show songs, 1895-1925)
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I'm giving up on trying to find the melody for "Die yiddishe fohn" in the American Yiddish Penny Songs collection (pictured), I can't find it anywhere.

Moshe Ratner (Moyshe|Moishe|Moshe|Moses Ratner|Rattner) is specified as the lyricist, he's been featured on this blog twice before, read about him here and he also was the author of Dos fishele which is included in the Yiddish Songs from Warsaw collection. He was clearly a devoted Zionist. The tune was by Hyman Altman.

There is a cheerful, lovely song also called "Die yiddishe fohn" - recorded by both Morris Goldstein and Joe Feldman - I wish this were the right one but it isn't. So here it is for your entertainment. Sadly, I don't have the words for this one.

And here's a translation for the "Di yidishe fon" by Moyshe Ratner. For this one, I don't have the melody.



My dear beloved folk, Israel,
Where is your pride, your courage, your land?
Where is your honor from long ago?
Where is your rich, beautiful social standing?
Don't you feel any heartache?
Doesn't your broken heart, then, shudder in terror?
Does your blood not drip from you?
Awaken the courage within you!
Demand the return of your home, your land, your happiness,
Become a people again, as you once were!
It's time now... your happiness is almost within reach...
To be in your home and see again:

The proud Jewish flag will have the place of honor!
Then you will have your honor, no longer tormented,
When it waves high, your flag with the mogen david!

All peoples of the world earn their flag and their language
Except you, Jew, you lack everything,
You've earned absolutely nothing.
There was a time when you had it all.
Now show the world you're a hero as you used to be!
Begin the struggle because now is the time
You should get back what is yours
And then Israel will again give you your happiness

Jew, look around, you are oppressed everywhere,
You are persecuted everywhere
Your situation is as bitter as gall
Use your strength, your whole force,
Be freed from your exile!
Demand freedom from the Turks
for your land Zion!
Don't equivocate long, and strive for your goal,
Struggle with strength and you won't get tired
Then you'll be happy!
You won't know pain
You'll be proud of:

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For sheet music and/or performances contact me: jane@mappamundi.com

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