Khatskele
See lecture: Jewish Weddings
| Khatskele, Khatskele, shpil mir a kazatskele! | Khatskele, Khatskele, play me a kozatska! |
| Khotsh an oreminke, dokh a khatskele! | Though I'm poor, I'm still nimble. |
| Orem iz nit gut, orem iz nit gut, | It's not good to be poor (2) |
| Lomir zikh nit shemen mit undzer eygn blut! | But don't be ashamed of your own flesh and blood! |
| Khatskele, Khatskele, shpil zhe mir a dume! | Khatskele, Khatskele, play me a duma. |
| Un khotsh an oreme, abi a frume! | Though I'm poor I'm still pious! |
| Orem iz nit gut, orem iz nit gut, | It's not good to be poor (2) |
| Lomir zikh nit shemen mit undzer eygn blut! | But don't be ashamed of your own flesh and blood! |
| Khatskele, Khatskele, shpil zhe mir a semele, | Khatskele, Khatzkele, play me a semele. |
| Far a drayerl oyf Khatskes kremele! | Here are 3 cents for Khatske's store! |
| Orem iz nit gut, orem iz nit gut, | It's not good to be poor (2) |
| Lomir zikh nit shemen mit undzer eygn blut! | But don't be ashamed of your own flesh and blood! |
| Khotsh an oreminke, fort a mume, | Though I'm poor, I'm still an aunt. |
| Nit keyn gebetene, aleyn gekumen! | Though uninvited, I still came on my own. |
| Orem iz nit gut, orem iz nit gut, | It's not good to be poor (2) |
| Lomir zikh nit shemen mit undzer eygn blut! | But don't be ashamed of your own flesh and blood! |
Source: Mlotek, Eleanor & Joseph, "Songs of Generations", p.97