Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Alabama Song / Lyrics auth. desputed, music by Kurt Weil -- tr. to Hebrew

שיר אלבמה

הראינו השביל לאיזו מסבאה
הו, אל תשאל
הו, אל תשאל
כי אם לא נמצא אף לא מסבאה —
ניפול מתים ודי
ניפול מתים ודי

ירח-אלבמה
הזמן לומר שלום
איבדנו את המאמא
נשתה עוד קצת היום

הראינו השביל לעוד איזו ילדה
הו, אל תשאל
הו אל תשאל,
כי אם לא נמצא לנו עוד איזו ילדה —
ניפול מתים ודי
ניפול מתים ודי

ירח אלבמה...

מוקדש לה.


Literature is inconsistent with regard to authorship of this song — most sources cite Bertold Brecht, but at least one mentions Elisabeth Hauptmann. The music is (undisputedly) by Kurt Weil.

The song's Wikipedia entry.

The Doors' performance of the song:

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Love of Therese di Meun, poem II / Leah Goldberg [translated]

I do not want at all my sleeping eyes,
To see you all the time, nor do I wish to shake,
When my doors open. I do not want to think
Of you, not then, nor when the day is bright,

And least of all, I do not wish to make
Out in young belles' gazes, wide awake,
Delighted victory, contempt and stings.
I want no part in any of these things.

How come, thus far, in my indifferent peace,
I lived before, so wise, so self-assured,
With firm and quiet dignity I carried on my years,

At night from awful frights I stayed secure,
But very sweet indeed were moments we endured,
And waiting turns to wanting with shamed ease.


Translation mine. Original here.