Midi © Miriam Seshadri. Free for personal use,
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Yiddish Version

Shteyt a bokher un er trakht,
Trakht un trakht a gantse nakht.
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?

Tumbala, tumbala,tumbalalayka,
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalayka.
Tumbalalayka, shpiel balalayka.
Tumbalalayka, freylach zol zeyn.

Meydl, meydl kh'vel bay dir fregn.
Vos kon vaksn, vaksn on regn.
Vos kon brenen un nit oyfhern?
Vos kon veynen benken on trern?

Chorus 

Narisher bokher vos darftsu fregn?
A shteyn kon vaksn, vaksn on regn.
A libe kon brenen un nit oyfhern
A harts kon veynen benken on trern.


Chorus 

English Version

A young man wonders how he will find,
A girl who is gentle, loving and kind.
Many the maidens, bright are their eyes,
How shall he know the one who is wise?

Tumbala, tumbala,tumbalalayka,
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalayka.
Tumbalalayka, play balalayka.
Tumbalalayka, let's be happy.


Maiden, maiden can you explain
What can grow and never need rain?
Which is the fire that burns through the years
Where is the sorrow deeper than tears?

Chorus

Listen, listen as I reply
A stone can grow and always be dry
Love that is true will burn through the years,
And when a heart cries, it cries without tears.

Tum Balalayka

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