Translation of Songs
Berber Blues
Composed & Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Lyrics by Yoel Ben-Simhon
This is what life is about, when it goes by it never comes
back Come join us, and I will make some food
How are you sir? Come drink the water of life
No need to worry, so sing with joy and happiness
Come witness how to live without fear
How are you sir? Come drink the water of life
Roll out the rug and cover yourself with a blanket
Until morning will rise and night will fall
How are you sir? Come drink the water of life
Lets go sir, sing for the world
Lets go sir, and peace will come upon us
How are you sir? Come drink the water of life
May God guide you, come drink the water of life
Forgiveness Hymns
Composed & Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Lyrics by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Except traditional Moroccan hymn
I dream back
To distant childhood memories
At the synagogue in Kiryat-Gat
Atonement day; shimmering hymns
Grandpa Mimon goes to pray
Grandma Sultana at the kerosene stove
Toils over the last meal before the fast
With a melody wrapped in holy scents
Soulful chants fill the sanctuary
The glorious scrolls infused with incense and snuff
On this day of forgiveness
There is no respite from its endlessness
Wishing the minutes away
Insufferable tension, awaiting
To sing out loud the soul-saving hymn
Moroccan Hymn: Oh God who is majestic, oh God who is majestic,
Grant us forgiveness at the time of the closing
hour
Sultana
Composed & Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Lyrics by Yoel Ben-Simhon
You have walked the fields of old Morocco
You, plow-less, furrowed Mogador
At the age of 13 you have given life, not knowing what was
life You raised eight flowers, three of which perished in
storms
And yet me, a flower bud, you always kept in your heart
Never letting your countless worries,
Relentless drive me out
Never smelling the roses
Outliving three children
Strong, as always,
Grandma Sultana
A cycle is closing, before the Lord you stand
A cycle is about to open, it is you who sent me an angel
Here I am in a distant land, my heart filled with new love
And you, as always, in Israel, facing the Lord above
I will always remember you, your touch, your smile
From childhood engraved upon me, an eternal lullaby
Yigdal
Composed & Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Moroccan lyrics by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Hebrew lyrics and part of the melody are adopted from a traditional
Moroccan hymn
Oh my lady, how beautiful she is
Oh my lady, my heart desire her
Let God be exalted and praised, he exists and his existence
is unbound by time; He is one and there is no unity like his
unity, he is concealed and there is no end to his wholeness;
He has no image of a body nor a body, his holiness cannot
be measured
He precedes every thing that was created, he is first and
there is no beginning to his beginning; He is master of the
world to everything created, demonstrating his greatness and
his sovereignty
The flow of his prophecy did he grant to his treasured and
splendid people There never again arose in Israel like Moshe,
a prophet who could gaze at his image
A Torah of truth did God give to his people, through his
most trusted prophet God will neither replace nor exchange
his law for another one forever, He sees and knows our secrets,
and foresees outcomes ahead a time He rewards the pious person
according to his deeds, and punish the wicked for
their sins
He shall send the Messiah at the end of days, to redeem those
who await salvation
Lord of Pardons (Adon Haslichot)
Traditional Sephardi hymn
Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Lord of pardons, examines thoughts, reveals secrets, speaks
righteousness We have sinned before you, have mercy on us
Magnificent in miracles, skillful in comforting, recalls
fathers covenant, investigates emotions
We have sinned before you, have mercy on us
Good and does good for creations, knows all hidden things,
excuses sins, dress with righteousness
We have sinned before you, have mercy on us
Full of merits, majestic in praises, pardons sins, answers
in time of crises We have sinned before you, have mercy on
us
Performs salvation, predicts events, calls the future generations,
rides in the heavens, hears prayers, perfect in knowledge
We have sinned before you, have mercy on us
Desert Morning
Composed & Arranged by Yoel Ben-Simhon
Lyrics by Ariella Peist
In the heart of the Sahara Desert
A shepherd's flute plays and camels pace
Among the Blue Tribe's people
A warm breeze, transforming hills and dunes
My body wrapped, intoxicated
By the timeless magic of the desert
