אײביק װעלן מיר פֿאַרבינדן אונדזער נעכט מינט הײַנט

[sovay]

So I spent my afternoon with the community chorus of the Boston Workmen's Circle and it now appears I belong to a Yiddish chorus. They're called A Besere Velt—A Better World. I have not sung with a chorus in at least fourteen years and I have not performed professionally in two or three. I had a wonderful time. People said nice things about my voice and my musicianship, which was good for shutting up Tiny Wittgenstein. Songs almost everyone around me knew better than I did included "Hulyet, hulyet, beyze vintn," "Bella ciao," "Tsindt on a likhtl" (a modern Yiddish translation of "Light One Candle"), "Vilne," and Shmerke Kaczerginski's "Yugnt himn." There is a strong partizaner anti-fascist vibe to the current season's repertoire and I am fine with it. We will be performing in December as part of Yiddish New York. There's also some kind of smaller ensemble I have been invited, and plan, to audition into. More details as I gather them. There go my Saturdays. As you may be able to discern from the hours-lingering adrenaline, I am really happy.

Comments

[selkie]

I only ever hear "Hulyet, Hulyet" deeply ironically/curmudgeonly, because of what I otherwise know about Gebirtig. I am intrigued, and also more happiness and more anti-fascism wins.

[gwynnega]

How wonderful!

[umadoshi]

That sounds wonderful!

[thistleingrey]

That sounds awesome. I hope you have fun with it!

[cmcmck]

I'm always good with an anti fascist vibe.

On that subject, I think I may finally have talked myself into visiting Riga fairly soon.

[strange_complex]

Aw, wonderful! Singing is great and this chorus sound perfect for you. I'll enjoy hearing about how it's all going as you do your rehearsals.

[tree_and_leaf]

That sounds great! I learned Bella, Ciao with a German Scout group (the German Scouts are basically a bunch of left wing anarchists, and fond of anti-fascist songs).

[kenjari]

Yay for music, and especially for anti-fascist music and art!

[jesse_the_k]

A perfect meeting: they need you and you need them. I hope rehearsals continue to be opportunities to flex musical muscles.

[nineweaving]

Fabulous! A meeting made in heaven.

Nine

[asakiyume]

Congratulations! What a happy development!