Tumbalalaika
Shteyt a bocher, shteyt un tracht,
tracht un tracht a gantze nacht.
Vemen tsu nemen un nit far shemen,
vemen tsu nemen un nit far shemen.
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika,
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika
tumbalalaika, shpiel balalaika
tumbalalaika - freylach zol zayn.
Meydl, meydl, ch'vel bay dir fregen,
Vos kan vaksn, vaksn on regn?
Vos kon brenen un nit oyfhern?
Vos kon benken, veynen on treren?
Narisher bocher, vos darfstu fregn?
A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn.
Libeh ken brenen un nit oyfhern.
A harts kon benkn, veynen on treren.
Tumbalalaika
A boy stands and thinks, stands and thinks, the whole night through.
Whom to take and not to be ashamed, whom to take and not to be ashamed.
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika,
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika
Tumbalalaika, play balalaika
Tumbalalaika - let it be joyful.
Girl, girl, I will ask you,
What can grow, grow without rain?
What can burn and not be consumed?
What can yearn, cry without tears?
Silly boy, why do you need to ask?
A stone can grow, grow without rain.
Love can burn and not be consumed.
A heart can ache, cry without tears.