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Jewish Life: The Old Country

Various Artists
Jewish Life: The Old Country

When Eastern European Jews immigrated en masse to the United States in the 1880s and ’90s fleeing Czarist oppression and poverty, they brought with them a body of secular folk songs. Sung in Yiddish by men and women who came here from five villages (with English translations and explanations), this recording archives a lost way of life.


RELATED LESSON PLAN
"Israeli Song and Dance for Middle or High School Ensembles"


Track Listing

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101
Am Kodoysh A Man born in Glina, Galicia 00:28
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102
A-A Lyu Lyu A woman, born in Zhitomir, Russia, to a baby 00:44
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103
In a Shtetele Pityepoy A woman born in Warsaw 00:38
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104
Cheder-boy's Taunts - Taunts from Galicia A man born in Galicia 00:38
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105
Vi azoy s'iz nisht git tsu geyn A woman born in Czernowitz, Bessarabia 01:53
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106
Henich's vayb / Of azoy neyt a Shnayder - This Is How a Tailor Sews A second woman born in Czernowitz, Bessarabia 00:44
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107
Hob ich mir a Shpan - I Have a Coach A woman born in Ivia, Lithuania 02:02
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108
A Redele iz di gore Velt A man, born in Bershad, Ukraine 01:46
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109
A Shadchen darf men Kenen Zayn - A Matchmaker's Trade Is a Special Skill A woman born in Tomashpil 01:30
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110
Vos vilsti Mutter hobn? - What Do You Want from Me Mother? Ruth Rubin 01:22
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111
Indroysn iz Fintster - It Is Dark Outdoors A man born in Grodno, Lithuania 01:50
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112
Fun groys dasad - In Great Pain A women born in Lithuania 01:34
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113
Ich lig unter Grattes - I Lie Behind Bars A man born in Grodno, Lithuania 02:05
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114
Kadril - Quadrille A woman born in Grodno, Lithuania 01:28
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115
Betler Lid - Beggar Song A man born in Poland 01:15
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201
Chassidic Tune A man born in Poland 02:20
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202
Husiatiner Melody A man born in Lodz, Poland 00:42
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203
Chassidic Hopke A man born in Poland 01:12
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204
Az Moshi - ach vet kumen - When the Messiah Comes Ruth Rubin 03:14
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205
Zog mir mein Shvester - Tell Me My Sister A woman born in Chotin, Bessarabia 01:06
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206
Vos shloft ir, ir Shlefer? - Why Do You Slumber, You Sleepers? A woman born in Lithuania 01:11
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207
Di Mashines klapn - The Machines Are Clattering Ruth Rubin 00:47
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208
Ver es hot in Blat gelezn - Oh Have You Read in the Newspapers? A man born in Vilna, Lithuania 02:35
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209
Fraytik Inderfri - Friday Morning A woman born in Czernowitz, Bessarabia 00:43
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210
Zayt mir gezint, Chovertes ole - Farewell, All My Friends - The Bride's Farewell A woman born in Chotin, Bessarabia 01:56
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211
Forn forstu fun mir avek - You Are Leaving Me Ruth Rubin 01:39
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212
Five Wedding Tunes on a Fiddle A "badchen" (wedding entertainer) from Galicia 02:25
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213
Shlof mayn Kind mayn Treyst mayn Sheyner - Sleep My Child My Lovely Comfort (Words by Sholem Aleichem) A woman born in White Russia 03:02