Tum balalaika

This song is also referred to as "Tumbalalaika". It's a Russian Jewish Folk Song in Yiddish about love.

Tum balalaika

Sound balalaika

Children's Song

(Yiddish)

Children's Song

(English)

Shteyt a bocher, shteyt un tracht,
Tract un tracht dem gantze nacht:
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?
Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen?

Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika
Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika
Tum balalaika, freylach zol seyn.

Meydl, meydl, ch'vel bay dir fregn:
Vos kon vaksn, vaksn on regn?
Vos kon brenen un nit oyfhern ?
Vos kon benken, veynen on trern?

Narisher bocher, vos darfstu fregn?
A shteyn kon vaksn, vaksn on regn.
Libe kon brenen, un nit oyfhern.
A harts kon benken, veynen on trern.

A young man stands, stands and ponders
He ponders and ponders all night long:
Whom to choose and not offend?
Whom to choose and not offend?

Sound bala, sound bala, sound balalaika
Sound bala, sound bala, sound balalaika
Sound balalaika, play balalaika
Sound balalaika, be joyful.

Maiden, maiden, can I ask you?
What can grow, grow without rain
What can burn, burn and not stop
What can cry, cry without tears?

Foolish young man, what are you asking?
A stone can grow, grow without rain,
Love can burn, burn and not stop
A heart can cry, cry without tears.