Sunday, April 30, 2006

Die Star Spangled Banner In Die Yiddishe Shprach

Jack Balkin links to the Yiddish translation of our national anthem (apparently not only Hispanics translate it....)

O'zog, kenstu sehn, wen bagin licht dervacht,
Vos mir hoben bagrist in farnachtigen glihen?
Die shtreifen un shtern, durch shreklicher nacht,
Oif festung zich hoiben galant un zich tsein?
Yeder blitz fun rocket, yeder knal fun kanon,
Hot bawizen durch nacht: az mir halten die Fohn!
O, zog, tzi der "Star Spangled Banner" flatert in roim,
Ueber land fun die freie, fun brave die heim!


I wonder if anyone could actually sing it in Yiddish today. Reminds me of Jewish Day in Shea Stadium when all the players are announced in Yiddish and they sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" in Yiddish during the 7th Inning stretch.