Shana Tova | Yaffa Yarkoni and Naomi Shemer
Like other songs by Naomi Shemer, on face value this song seems a very simple and straightforward hope for a happy new year. At second listen one takes in the national aspects of the yearning for a better future, not just for ourselves as individuals but also for ourselves as a People. The reference is gentle: “Excited and meeting / People and children / And building / Together with them / A shared home.” Here is not just a song of hope for a new year but a song of hope for people who realizing the power of self-determination, rebuilding their national home, together: “This year seems to depend / On us"
טל וגשם
ושנה טובה
ובדלת
אור ותכלת
של היום הבא
מן הלוח
דף שלוח
חדשות טובות
מגיעות על
כנף הרוח
אל הלבבות
נשכח דרכי מדון ואכזבה
ויחד לצלילי השיר הבא
נרקוד כולנו
אולי נשלח ברכה- אולי גלויה
אולי בכלל נשיר הללויה
נדמה שהשנה הזו תלויה
בעצם בנו
איך הלכתי
בדרכי אכזב
מחפשת
חן וחסד
בתחילת הסתיו
מתרגשת ופוגשת
אנשים וטף
ובונה
איתם ביחד
בית משותף
טל וגשם
.ושנה טובה
Dew and rain
And a good year
And at the door
Light and light blue
Of tomorrow
From the board
A sent page
good news
Coming on
Wings of the wind
To the hearts
We’ll forget the ways of grief and disappointment
And together to the next song
We'll all dance
Maybe we'll send a greeting-maybe a postcard
Maybe we'll sing hallelujah
This year seems to depend
On us
How I went
Down the paths of disappointment
Looking for
Grace and favour
In the beginning of autumn
Excited and meeting
People and children
And building
Together with them
A shared home
Dew and rain
And a happy New Year