"Hava Nagila" (הבה נגילה in Hebrew) is a Hebrew folk song, the title meaning "Let us rejoice". It is a song of celebration, especially popular amongst Jewish and Roma communities, and is a staple of band performers at Jewish festivals.
The melody was taken from a Ukrainian folk song from Bukovina.[1] The commonly used text was probably composed by Abraham Zevi (Zvi) Idelsohn[2][3] in 1918 to celebrate the British victory in Palestine during World War I as well as the Balfour Declaration.
The transliteration, spelling of the title and lyrics vary.
Lyrics
Transliteration | Hebrew text | English translation |
Hava nagila | הבה נגילה | Let's rejoice |
Hava nagila | הבה נגילה | Let's rejoice |
Hava nagila ve nis'mecha | הבה נגילה ונשמחה | Let's rejoice and be happy |
| (repeat stanza once) |
|
Hava neranenah | הבה נרננה | Let's sing |
Hava neranenah | הבה נרננה | Let's sing |
Hava neranenah ve nis'mecha | הבה נרננה ונשמחה | Let's sing and be happy |
| (repeat stanza once) |
|
Uru, uru achim! | !עורו, עורו אחים | Awake, awake, brothers! |
Uru achim b'lev sameach | עורו אחים בלב שמח | Awake brothers with a happy heart |
| (repeat line four times) |
|
Uru achim, uru achim! | !עורו אחים, עורו אחים | Awake, brothers, awake, brothers! |
B'lev sameach | בלב שמח | With a happy heart |
