שיר-ערש | Shir 'eres | Lullaby (1912)
Artist: Abraham Zvi Idelsohn (1882-1938)
Lyrics: Ephraim Dov Lifshitz
Tune: Polish (Yiddish) Melody
Scientific contributions
- Das „jüdisch-deutsche Liederbuch von 1912“ (by Dr. Gila Fam, 13. September 2022)
“Shir 'eres” was written by Ephraim Dov Lifshitz (1868-1925) in 1892. The song was published in Mikraot Le-Talmidim Be-Vet Ha-Sefer U'Be-Vet Ha-Av, edited by Ben-Ami (Odessa: 1905: p. 18-19). Of the original fifteen verses in the poem, Idelsohn selected twelve for inclusion (1-9 and 14-16) in Sefer Ha-Shirim. It appears that verses 10-13 were omitted due to layout constraints.
Lifshitz dedicated this lullaby to his son, Yisrael. It tells of Jewish forebears, the diaspora, and the efforts that should be made to end the suffering of the Jewish people in exile and to advance their return to the Land of Israel.
Traditionally, lullabies have served as a platform for adults to express their own hopes while lulling a baby to sleep. Shir 'eres is considered an early Hebrew national lullaby. Its message differs markedly from those conveyed in Yiddish lullabies, which urge children to devote their lives to Torah studies and building a Jewish family. Hebrew lullabies, such as “Shir 'eres”, encourage children to immigrate to Zion and cultivate the land.
The lyrics of “Shir 'eres” are sung to more than eleven melodies, indicating the popularity of the text. Idelsohn included two of these melodies (see no. 13) in Sefer Ha-Shirim. This melody is in a natural minor key.
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