Chanukah Music
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Traditional Chanukah Hebrew Lyrics
(New Melodies)
Al Hanisim
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This new arrangement sets traditional text from the Chanukah liturgy with both a dynamic and powerful melody, and a softer, more reflective one. They are presented both independently and intertwined throughout. Shifting keys also help express the lyrics’ thanks to God for his many powerful attributes.
Ashrei-Hagafrur
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This new arrangement sets traditional text from the Chanukah liturgy with both a dynamic and powerful melody, and a softer, more reflective one. They are presented both independently and intertwined throughout. Shifting keys also help express the lyrics’ thanks to God for his many powerful attributes.
B’neir Hashmonai
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Arnold Harris has set original music for the words of the 7th century poet Eleazar Kallir’s (c.570 c.640, land of Israel) mystical poem about the Chanukah candles. This a cappella setting enriches the ancient words with echoes of jazz harmonies.
Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was recaptured from the Syrian Greeks in 165 BCE. The miracle referred to is the fact that when the priests returned to the Temple, they found only enough oil to last for one day, but it lasted for eight. Thus, holiday candles are lit on all eight days. The menorah, with its eight branches, one for each candle, has become the symbol of Chanukah.
Chanukah Chanukah
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This arrangement features a new melody for these well-known Chanukah lyrics that describe the beauty of the holiday and its special joy for children. The middle section recreates the spontaneous joy of children at play during the holiday and leads to the ending, where the chorus sings like a wildy spinning dreydl!
Haneirot Halalu
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The Chanukah candles are the central ritual component of this winter holiday of remembrance, light and joy. Traditional lyrics describe the importance and inherent holiness of the candles to the observance of Chanukah. With an original melodic setting, this arrangement creates a gentle yet vibrant tone in appreciating these candles.
Lo V’Chayil
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The lyrics for this song come from the Book of Zechariah and are part of the Chanukah liturgy. They are read as part of the Chanukah religious service that references a lampstand of 7 lamps, in effect a vision of the menorah that relates to the holiday of Chanukah’s menorah of 8 lamps. The text of this is based on God’s explanation of its meaning, “Not by might, and not by power, but by My Spirit”. Arnold Harris’ arrangement features a vigorous, powerful melody for “not by strength, and not by power”, repeating “not, not, not” with force. This is contrasted with a slow and peaceful setting for “but by My Spirit”.
Maoz Tzur
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Maoz Tzur is the most well-known of all Chanukah lyrics, recounting the deliverance of the Jews from destruction, celebrated during Chanukah. The words are ascribed to a 13th century source writing during the Crusades. Arnold Harris has written a powerful new melody in an a cappella setting, reflecting the “Rock of Ages” sentiment of the title.
Neis Gadol Haya Sham
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These words, taken from the Chanukah liturgy, summarize the events of this holiday, “a great miracle happened there”. The four Hebrew first letters of these words: nun, gimel, heh and shin are found on the traditional Chanukah children’s toy, the dreydl, a spinning top. Arnold Harris’ arrangement features a slow and contrasting fast section with a lively melody leading to a rousing climax.
Ner va Or
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Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was recaptured from the Syrian Greeks in 165 BCE. The miracle referred to is the fact that when the priests returned to the Temple, they found only enough oil to last for one day, but it lasted for eight. Thus, holiday candles are lit on all eight days. The menorah, with its eight branches, one for each candle, has become the symbol of Chanukah.
As one of the main concepts of Chanukah is “light”, Arnold Harris has set two different biblical texts about light in “Ner va Or”, each with its own theme, and then joined together.There is also a bass solo.
Nun Gimel Heh Shin
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“The dreydl, a spinning top, is the traditional children’s toy during Chanukah. There are four letters on the dreydl: “nun, gimel, heh and shin”. These are the first letters of the words “neis gadol haya sham” which mean “a great miracle happened there, in those olden days in this season”, summarizing the events of this holiday. Arnold Harris’ arrangement is a fun setting interchanging both the letters and the words of this phrase. Changes of key, meter and dynamics with much interaction between the choral sections gives this arrangement the feeling of a spinning dreydl. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was recaptured from the Syrian Greeks in 165 BCE. The miracle referred to is the fact that when the priests returned to the Temple, they found only enough oil to last for one day, but it lasted for eight. Thus, holiday candles are lit on all eight days. The menorah, with its eight branches, one for each candle, has become the symbol of Chanukah.
Sim Shalom
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Sim Shalom (“Grant Peace”) is a blessing recited at least once every day in the Jewish tradition. As such, it doesn’t explicitly evoke Hanukkah. However, “Light” figures prominently in the prayer. Light plays a comparable role in the celebration of Hanukkah, the “Festival of Lights.” In essence then, the prayer is a year-round reminder of the special role that the Hanukkah lights play during those long, dark nights right around the winter solstice.
Umeiafeilah l’Or Gadol
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Arnold Harris has set the word “umeiafeilah”, from “deepest darkness”, in a minor mode in a meter of 3, and “l’Or Gadol”, “to great light”, in a meter of 4 and in major. They are then melded together symbolizing the conflict between the two, with the piece ending with a full major chord, possibly hoping that light will ultimately triumph over darkness.
V’hidliku Neirot
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This text from the Chanukah liturgy tells of the actions of the high priest and his sons. They were the ones who lit the lamps and established the holiday as an eight day festival.
Traditional Chanukah Yiddish Lyrics
(New Melodies)
Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl
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The original Yiddish lyrics for “I Have A Little Dreydl,” by Michl Gelbart (pseudonym, Ben Arn, 1889-1962), find new meaning with a new melody in this fun and lively setting. The song refers to the traditional game of Dreydl, a spinning top, played by children during Chanukah.
Khanukah Oy Khanukah
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Arnold Harris has taken the original Yiddish words of the popular Chanukah song, “Chanukah Oh! Chanukah,” and created a new, vibrant melody for them in this exciting SATB choral arrangement with baritone solo. Yiddish was the spoken language and linguistic basis of Eastern European Jewish culture before the holocaust of World War II. It is still thriving and is spoken by many Jews to this very day.
O Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh
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Arnold Harris has set the Chanukah poem by the well known Yiddish poet, Morris Rosenfeld (1862-1923) in a SATB choral arrangement with piano accompaniment and choral a cappella sections. Harris has set the text reflecting the gentleness of the little Chanukah candles with reflections on the many sad and fearful moments in Jewish history. Yiddish was the spoken language and linguistic basis of Eastern European Jewish culture before the holocaust of World War II. It is still thriving and is spoken by many Jews to this very day.