| Soon to the canopy you will be led;
|
| Your mother arrives from the world of the dead,
|
| And she comes to your wedding in silver and gold,
|
| She offers her hand for the angels to hold.
|
| Oh, Chanele’s daughter’s a glorious bride!
|
| Does Chanele glitter with gold or with pride?
|
| And Chanah your mother says, bursting with joy
|
| «My Leah is marrying a wonderful boy!»
|
| But suddenly, Chanele, why do you sigh?
|
| And why does your heart break, and why do you cry?
|
| «Strangers are leading the bridal parade,
|
| While I stand unseen, alone and afraid.»
|
| The living are dancing with those that they see
|
| And only the dead will be dancing with me,
|
| And the daughter of Chanah is married that day
|
| To the bridegroom who’s waiting to dance her away.
|
| And that’s the klezmorim, they sing and they play,
|
| And all through the dancing the spirits they stray.
|
| The prophet Elijah, he dances and sings,
|
| And silver and gold are the blessings he brings.
|
| And shekels slop over the prophet’s gold cup
|
| And the dead and the living both gobble them up.
|
| Soon to the canopy you will be led;
|
| Your mother arrives from the world of the dead. |