Ima-Em (Mother), Poem

For Voice, Harp and String Orchestra — An ode to all mothers
Note: The orchestral poem Ima-Em (Mother) is based on the song Ima-Em, Op. 318, from 1962.

A 1964 recording:
Rachel Nachmias, Mezzo Soprano
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)

Lyrics: Ya’acov Orland

Publisher: The Marc Lavry Heritage Society

Synopsis:
In 1962 Marc Lavry composed music to Yaakov Orland’s poem Ima-Em (Mother), opus 318. In 1964 he created the musical poem Ima-Em (Mother), opus 339, based on his original song.
The composition depicts motherhood — the harp and strings project her feelings and mood. The singer joins in the last part by singing the original song Ima-Em (Mother), with its complete lyrics.
The musical poem concludes with words, and the respective sounds, that mimic a baby’s call ‘ma-ma’ (Hebrew: ‘ee-ma’).

Lavry admired his wife and his children’s mother, Helena, and wrote the composition in a most intimate and introspective manner.

The musical poem is a tribute and ode to all mothers.

Anecdote:
Efrat, Lavry’s daughter and a harp student, loved the song Ima-Em (Mother). In 1964, while in Los Angeles, California, he surprised her with an orchestral poem for voice, harp and string orchestra based on the original song. Efrat immediately added the composition to the concert program where she performed as a soloist with the University of Judaism Orchestra in Los Angeles.

Lyrics: Ima-Em (Mother) / Ya’acov Orland
(transliterated from Hebrew to English)
Miyom shebo karati lach beshem.
Miyom bo et kolech shama’ati pnima,
Ani kemo miyamayich, ima-em,
Ve’at kemo be’er homa li, ima.

Ima-em, ima-em
Zeh hato’ar, zeh hashem.
Miyom bo nifresu knafai la’uf,
Miyom bo et kinech azavti – nesher,
Ani mimech eilayich atz lashuv,
Ki at li hachalom ve’at hapesher.

Ima-em, ima-em
Zeh hato’ar, zeh hashem.

Ad yom – hagzar briteinu lo tufar
Vegam baketz ahavatech lo teleh,
Ki yesh dvarim me’ever le’afar,
Ve’em – uvna hem hadvarim ha’eleh.

Ima-em, ima-em
Zeh hato’ar, zeh hashem.