Lullabies
There is nothing more beautiful
than a yiddish lullaby. The lullabies sung
in the Ghetto were largely historical yiddish and hebrew lullabies: but several
were written during the persecutions and sung for the comfort of mothers more
than for infants. The Lullabies of the Ghetto have various themes: some are
about everyday childhood events such as learning the alphabet (alephbeyes) or
about children at play. Others are more ominous, and somewhat surprizing for
a cradlesong: they may include even 'scary' stories of animals in the forest,
or of a parent going away. Some traditional tunes were adapted during the
war years to include either additional verses or new lyrics describing
the events of the day and soothingly encouraging the child not to fear. Most of
these lullabies emanate from Poland, the now Czech Republic, the Ukraine
and some from Germany. The first lullaby listed, "Oyfen Pripershik" is a story
of a Rebbe, or rabbi-teacher stoking a schoolroom fire to keep the children
warm while teaching them there alphabet: it was a background theme in Steven
Spielberg's movie, Schindler's List;
although it was a well-known folk
song/lullaby long before.
Folk Songs
Folk Songs played a central role in the morale of the Jewish people and other prisoners of race and conscience during the Shoah. For the Resistance Movement in several countries, these folk songs were anthems: they kept spirit and purpose high. One of the better known anthems ends each verse with the words, "The earth will tremble neath our feet, 'We are Here'". Other hymns such as Maoz Tsur, or Rock of Ages, sung in synagogues carried special meaning because of its stance against tyranny; including lyrics such as
"...ours the message cheering
that the time is nearing
which will see, all men free
Tyrants disappearing.......
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© 2002 Elizabeth Kirkley Best, Ph.D., Shoah Education (Web) Project