Hanukkah Songs
Music has always been an integral part of Jewish culture and celebration.
In addition to Ma-0z Tzur & Mi Y'malel, many modern tunes about dreidels, candles, and light have been composed for the festival of Hanukkah. Interestingly, the theme of light has been a prevalent one in American Folk music as well. Try adding one of these songs or others to your holiday repertoire!
Ma oz Tsur
(Rock of Ages)
Ma oz Tsur Y'shu-a-ti
L'ha na-eh l'sha bey-ah
Tikon bet t'fillati
V'sham toda n'zabey-ah
L'et tahin mat bey-ah
Mitzar ha m'na bey-ah
Az egmor b'shir mizmor
Hanukat ha mizbey-ah
Az egmor b'shir mizmor
Hanukat ha mizbey-ah
Rock of Ages, let our song
Praise thy saving power
Thou amidst the raging foes
Was our sheltering tower![[Hanukkiyah]](../images/clip_hanukkiyahcolor.gif)
Furious they assailed us
But thine arm availed us
And Thy word broke their sword
When our own strength failed us
And Thy word broke their sword
When our own strength failed us
Mi Y'malel?
(Who Can Retell?)
Mi y'malel g'vurot Yisrael
Otan mi yim neh
Hen b'hol dor ya-koom ha-gibor
Go-el ha am (2x)
SHMA!
Bayamim ha hem bazman hazeh
Maccabee moshi-a v-fodeh
uv'yamenu Kol Am Yisrael
yitahed yakoom l'higael
Who can retell the things that befell us?
Who can count them?
In every age, a hero or sage
Arose to our aid
Hark!
In days of yore in Israel's ancient land
Brave Maccabees led the faithful band
But now all Israel must as one arise
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice
*This can be sung as a round. The second voice starts on "tan" or "who."
Light One Candle
By Peter Yarrow
Light one candle for the Maccabee children, for thanks that their light didn't die.
Light one candle for the pain they endured, when their right to exist was denied.
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice, justice and freedom demand.
But light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemakers' time is at hand.
Chorus: Don't let the light go out.
It's lasted for so many years.
Don't let the light go out.
Let it shine through our love and our tears.
Light one candle for the strength that we need to never become our own foe.
Light one candle for those who are suffering the pain we learned so long ago.
Light one candle for all we believe in, that anger not tear us apart.
Light one candle to bind us together, with peace as a song in our heart.
What is the memory that's valued so highly, that we keep it alive in this flame?
What's the commitment to those who have died, when we cry out "they've not died in vain"?
We have come this far always believing that justice will somehow prevail.
This is the burden, this is the promise and this is what we will not fail.
This Little Light of Mine (American folksong)
The light that shines is the light of love-
Lights the darkness from above.
It shines on me and it shines on you,
Shows what the power of love can do.
I'm gonna shine my light both far and near.
I'm gonna shine my light both bright and clear.
If there's a dark corner in this land,
I'm gonna let my little light shine!
Chorus: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
![[decorative graphic]](../images/clip_guycandle.gif) Some say "It's dark, we cannot see"
But love lights up the world for me.
Some say "Turn around and just go hide"
But we have the power to change the tide.
Some call life a sad old story
But we see a world that's bound for glory.
The real power is yours and mine,
So let your little light shine!
I Have a Little Lightbulb
(sung to the tune of "I Have a Little Dreidel")
I have a little lightbulb
It's called a compact fluorescent
It's better than the usual bulb
And makes a great Hannukah present
Refrain:
Oh lightbulb, lightbulb, lightbulb
It helps save energy
Oh lightbulb, lightbulb, lightbulb
Come save the world with me!
The thing about this lightbulb
Is that it gives off much less heat
And therefore uses less electricity
Wow, now isn't that neat?
Refrain
I have a dream for this lightbulb
To go in every home and Hebrew school
Not mention office buildings
And every single shul
Refrain
This simple little lightbulb
Can go a long, long way
In saving precious energy
Each and every day
Refrain
The Squiggly Lightbulb Song
By Lois Schiffer
(To the tune of "It is better to light just one little candle...")
It is better to light just one squiggly lightbulb
Than to stumble in the heat
Better far that you light just one squiggly lightbulb
All you need's the bulb that's neat
If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be green
A wonderful dawn on a new day it'll mean
And if everyone lit just one squiggly lightbulb
What a cool world this would be
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