Student Day Anthem, Song

Marc Lavry, Conductor
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)
Kol Zion Lagola Choir (The Broadcasting Service Choir)
Recorded on April 15, 1956

Lyrics: Yitzhak Shalev

Manuscripts: Located at the National Library of Israel Music Department, the Marc Lavry Archive, System Number(s) 990037129540205171, 990035288790205171

Synopsis: Yitzhak Shalev wrote the lyrics and invited Marc Lavry to compose the music for Student’s Day at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1956. It remained the students’ anthem for many years.

The song compares the student to an overworked mule. In the melody Lavry, who was known for his sense of humor, added a mule’s bray.
The lyrics were typed a stencil page (for production on a mimeograph) as part of a booklet “Songs for Students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem”. The page also states that the song “was sung in the late fifties”.
(From the Meir Noy Collection Hebrew, Notebook 6 Pg. 170, Music Department, National Library of Israel)

Lyrics: Anthem for the Student’s Day / Itzchak Shalev
(Transliterated from Hebrew to English)

Studentim harimu kolchem barechov
Bin’ira adira zemer ram,
Kvar hirbenu likro vehirbenu lichtov
Et latzet velashir bikhal am.

Refrain:
Nashira yachdav shir halel umizmor
Lastudent hexane hamashul lachamor.

Shebechol hashana hu noseh et sfarav
Verabo bo me’itz vego’er,
Ach beyom simchato ein lo sefer varav
Veyotzeh hu larchov veno’er.

Refrain:
Nashira yachdav…

Shebechol hashana bo moshlim acherim
Veno’ek hu biv’chi unehi,
Ach yagi’a hayom vachamor hasfarim
Lachamor akademi ye’hi.

Refrain:
Nashira yachdav…