Ts’ad Shimshon (March, Samson), Song

Historic recordings from 1948:
Track 1: Marc Lavry, Conductor,
Yosefa Shoken, Soprano
Yosef Pollak, Baritone
Choir and Orchestra (no details)
Track 2: Symphonic Orchestra (no details)

Lyrics: Avigdor Hame’iri

Manuscripts: Located at the National Library of Israel Music Department, the Marc Lavry Archive, System Number(s) 990038500200205171, 990038500180205171, 990037127760205171< Additional details: for information about Ts’ad Shimshon for Coir and Piano email music@marclavry.org

Synopsis: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was established on May 25, 1948 with the founding of the state of Israel. On June 28, 1948, about 7 weeks after the declaration of the state, the swearing-in ceremony of the soldiers of the young state’s military was held at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, the temporary capital of the State of Israel. The event took place in the presence of Mayor Israel Rokach and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett (Shertok).

The song “Ts’ad Shimshon” was written on June 21, 1948 for the swearing-in event that took place a week later.

Anecdote: Per Prime Minister Ben Gurion’s request, Marc Lavry also wrote the march Kitatenu Balayla Tsoedet, Opus 213, to celebrate the newly formed Israeli state.

Lyrics: Ts’ad Shimshon / Avigdor Hame’iri
(transliterated from Hebrew to English)

Ts’ad Shimshon likrat peleshet,
Ts’ad beregel barzel eshet,
Vaharos kol mivtsar oz, kil kir vaned,
Ts’ad gdud, uma no’eshet,
Bedame’ha mitbosest,
Kanu ein ma le’abed!
Vehishava!

Letamid gamarnu omer,
Ye’hi ketz ladevai!
Be’oznei tevel nari’a:
Dei hapa’am, Dei!
Im lamut – zot hamoledet
Kever shel kavod,
Ve’im lichyot – litzvi tiferet
Poh nihyeh ba’aretz halazot.

* There are 2 more verses in Hebrew