Mi Anachnu? (Who Are We?), Song

Track 1: Variation for choir
Recorded April 15, 1956
Kol Zion Lagola Choir (The Broadcasting Service Choir)
Marc Lavry, Conductor
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)

Track 2: Variation for Coloratura Soprano and Choir sung by Hanna Aharoni
Recorded April 9, 1956
Hanna Aharoni, Soprano
Marc Lavry, Conductor
Kol Zion Lagola Choir (The Broadcasting Service Choir)
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)

Lyrics: Avraham Broides

Additional details: email music@marclavry.org

Synopsis:
Lavry composed many marches that honored the military and the young state of Israel. It was a patriotic era.
The words of lyricist Avraham Broides, with whom Lavry wrote many songs, describes the strength of the new state both in words and in melody.
Lavry made an arrangement of this song especially for singer Hanna Aharoni who has a unique range of four octaves.

Note: In 1956, when the IDF won the battle in the Sinai Campaign, numerous poets praised the army in song. Many texts were sent to Marc Lavry who composed five of them: Mi Anachnu (Who We Are?), Op. 261.1, Shir Hatotchanim (The Artillery Song), Op. 261.2, Israeli Pilot, Op. 261.3, Shir Hachovesh (The Medic Song), Op. 265 and Sipur (Story), Op. 266.

Lyrics: Mi Anachnu? (Who Are We?) / Avraham Broides
(transliterated from Hebrew to English)
Ani, Ata vehu vehi
Midan ve’ad eilat
Mi anachnu? Mi Kulanu?-
Chayalei mishlat.

Ani, Ata vehu vahi
Bederech kfar va’eer.
Mi anachnu? Mi Kulanu?-
Gdud ivri tza’ir.

Ani, Ata vehu vehi
Likrat oyev vatzar.
Mi anachnu? Mi Kulanu?-
Sela hamivtzar.

Ani, Ata vehu vehi
Imanu ba go’el
Mi anachnu? Mi Kulanu?-
Tzva bet israel!