Emek (Shir Ha-Emek), Song

Note: This version of Emek is that of the popular song. There is also Emek, Symphonic Poem, Opus 45 based on this song.

A historic recording from September 4, 1958:
Marc Lavry, Conductor
Kol Zion Lagola Choir (The Broadcasting Service Choir)

A historic video from 1972:
The Nahal (military) group performing Emek as part of a tribute to the pioneers of Israel.
Arrangement: Danny Sanderson

Lyrics: Rafael Eliaz

Publisher: The Marc Lavry Heritage Society

Synopsis:
Shir Ha-Emek is the first song Marc Lavry composed in Israel to the lyrics of Rafael Eliaz. The poem that describes the landscape of the Emek (Jezreel Valley), the pioneers plowing the fields by day and dancing the Hora by night, inspired Lavry to write the song. Within days the song was sung all over Israel.

Fun fact:

First version of Shir Ha-Emek

Lavry, who had not yet seen the Jezreel Valley, decided to take a bus trip to see the sights. As was customary at that time, bus riders joined in a loud sing-along. To Lavry’s delight they sang his new song, but to his dismay, the end of the first phrase was sung wrong.
The same thing happened on the way back with another group of people. This time Lavry approached the sing-along leader and pointed out the mistake. The leader gave Lavry a not-so-gentle pat on the back and said: “comm’on, the composer is a friend of mine and I know the right tune.”

Second version of Shir Ha-Emek

Being a newcomer to Israel, Lavry realized that his version was not the natural melodic progression to the Israeli ear. He decided to not reveal his true identify to the sing-along leader and just change his score.

Lyrics
(transliterated from Hebrew to English)

Plada kchula hem hashamayim,
Kivshan adom hu levavi.
Tisa nafshi chedvat ena’yim
Keset gufi et mach’ovi.

Refrain:
Hayad Choreshet,
Hadam Go’esh,
Tziv’ei hakeshet alu ba’esh.

Or, or, or, or –
Kol ha’emek hu shikor;
Hagilbo’a
Mitnashek im hatavor.

Hayad Choreset,
Halev yiktzor,
Magal hakeshet
Mi ya’atzor.

Shzufat yagon ka’adama at,
Ach al pana’yich or yahel,
Or hatochelet hadoma’at
El hasufa shetishtolel.

Refrain:
Hayad Choreshet…

Ki basufa na’ufa shneinu
Kishtei ruchot zo neged zo,
Vecho dvukot kizro’oteinu
Od shum zro’ot lo ne’echzu.

Refrain:
Hayad Choreshet…