Zemer (Tune), Song

The song Zemer (Tune) is also known as “Night over Mount Gilboa” and by its first line “Lo Orchat Gmalim”.

A historic recording from the late 1950’s:
Yaffa Yarkoni, Voice
Marc Lavry, Conductor
Kol Zion Lagola Choir
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)

Lyrics: Avraham Shlonsky

Publisher: The Marc Lavry Heritage Society

Synopsis:
Like many of Marc Lavry’s popular songs, Zemer has reached the status of Israeli folks song. It is sung to date by individual singers, choirs, singing-groups, in concerts, as well as informal singing gatherings.

Lyrics: Zemer (Tune) / Avraham Shlonsky
(Transliterated from Hebrew)

Lo orchat gmalim yarda lichro’a,
Lo dabeshet hi el mul kochav.
Zeh harim, harim shebagilbo’a,
Hararim tzofim eley merchav.

Hem zochrim et loven ohaleinu,
Shepashtu ba’emek keyonim.
Hem zochrim et mizbechot leileinu,
She’alu be’esh hanigunim.

Shiru li ki tov li, tov lishmo’a
Shuv ke’az mul sahar zeh utchol.
Shiru ad yamush gam hagilbo’a
Veyetzeh imanu bemachol.

Ki sharuy, mutar hu li hazemer,
Ki tziyot zarati bidmama.
Kilro’im bechag shel gez hatzemer
Lanu hatagmul vehatruma.

Shuv ke’az lavan holech hasahar
Umoshech bekeren hayovel.
Shuv ke’az halev pote’ach sha’ar,
Venidmeh la’ad lo yina’el.

Eich hyom ksumim velo miyayin
Shavnu hena bamish’ol halaz
Lechadesh lechteinu el ha’ayin,
Lefa’em shireinu mini az.

Shiru li ki tov li, tov lishmo’a
Shuv ke’az mul sahar zeh utchol.
Shiru ad yamush gam hagilbo’a
Veyetzeh imanu bemachol.

Ki sharuy, mutar hu li hazemer,
Ki tziyot zarati bidmama.
Kilro’im bechag shel gez hatzemer
Lanu hatagmul vehatruma.