Musical Showcase: A Swinging Version of Tumbalalaika by Lea Kalisch and Jewbalaya

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 27th version of this universal courting and love song.

It's played by Jewbalaya and sung by its principal singer, Lea Kalisch. From Rap to Rumba, Folk to Feminism, Lea blends styles and languages like a smoothie. Lea is a Swiss Jewish international entertainer who gives tradition a facelift. Yiddish Theater, forgotten melodies, original songs, and mashups—all delivered with young, zestful energy. 

Jewbalaya plays a good-time mixture of Klezmer and Traditional New Orleans Jazz. With a horn section, drums, banjo, accordion and vocals, Jewbalaya offers a shmaltzy stew of funky beats and Yiddish treats. Jewbalaya has performed recently at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mall of America, The Slavic Experience Festival, and more.

In this video, Lea and Jewbalaya sing and play a swinging version of the Yiddish folk song Tumbalalaika. It was recorded at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. 

Enjoy! 

Tumbalalaika Around the World: Israeli Singer Einat Betzalel Sings With L'Orchestre Festival

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 26th version of this universal courting and love song.

Today we're sharing a version by Israeli singer Einat Betzalel. She grew up on a kibbutz near Zichron Ya’acov and at the age of 18 joined a military band. That experience, she says, “was a great learning experience for me. We were performing almost every day throughout various countries.”

After the army Betzalel attended the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and started to work with top artists in Israel, among them Alon Olearchik, who is best known for being one of the founding members of Kaveret.

In this video the words appear in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian.

Enjoy!

Tumbalalaika Around the World - As Sung by Singer/Actress Julie Benko

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 25th version of this universal courting and love song.

The version of Tumbalalaika that we're sharing today is by singer/actress Julie Benko. Julie portrayed Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl (2022) and originated the role of Ruth Stern in the Broadway musical Harmony (2023). Julie sings the song in Yiddish and English.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

 

 

Tumbalalaika Around the World: As Sung by The San Francisco Yiddish Combo at East Bay Jewish Music Festival

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 24th version of this universal courting and love song.

The San Francisco Yiddish Combo was formed by accident when a love of Klezmer music collided with their collective backgrounds in every genre except Klezmer. Now they have embarked on a journey around the world to present their own unique blend of everything that is Klezmer, mixed with years of experience in the jazz, blues, folk, and even hip hop world. This group performs Klezmer for the 21st century! Made up of classically trained musicians who enjoy stretching musical boundaries, the SFYC is led by cellist Rebecca Roudman who has fronted groups all over the world bringing her virtuosic and fiery playing to stages from China to Italy and beyond.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

  

 

English Translation: 

A young lad stands, and he thinks 

Thinks and thinks the whole night through 

Whom to take and not to shame 

Whom to take and not to shame

 

Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika 

Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika 

Tumbalalaika, strum balalaika 

Tumbalalaika, may we be happy

 

Girl, girl, I want to ask of you 

What can grow, grow without rain? 

What can burn and never end? 

What can yearn, cry without tears? 

 

Foolish lad, why do you have to ask? 

A stone can grow, grow without rain 

Love can burn and never end 

A heart can yearn, cry without tears