The Russian lyrical version of our cinematic holiday anthem.
Encyclopedia of Jewish Song
Oh Chanukah, the holiday sung around the candles
Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, known in Yiddish as Khanike Oy Khanike, is the most beloved children's song of the holiday, full of candles, spinning dreidels, and latkes frying in the pan. RIGLI's Russian version keeps that warmth: a silver wind and snow outside, the dreidel dancing, mama frying latkes in the kitchen, and the candles shining like stars from which the greatest of miracles may yet come.
It is exactly the kind of song this project wants children to sing, to listen to, and to learn a holiday from.
Why bring it into English
The best way for a child to learn a holiday is to sing it. Bringing Oh Chanukah into English, and first into Russian, lets children everywhere sing the lights, the latkes and the wonder, and understand every word. That is a core aim of Jewish Songs for All: songs children can sing, listen to, and learn from.
The words, line by line
Russian (Olga Anikina)English, line by line
Ханука о Ханука неделя весельяHanukkah, oh Hanukkah, a week of merriment
За окном серебряный ветер с метельюOutside the window a silver wind and a snowstorm
Дома тёплый свет и пляшет волчокAt home warm light, and the dreidel dances
И на кухне мама латкес печётAnd in the kitchen mama fries latkes
Нам свечи весь вечерFor us the candles, all evening
Сияют как звёзды с небесShine like stars from the heavens
Быть может оттуда придёт наше чудоPerhaps from there our miracle will come
Чудеснее прочих чудесMore wondrous than all other wonders
Ханука о Ханука мы дома мы вместеHanukkah, oh Hanukkah, we are home, we are together
Нынче будут только хорошие вестиToday there will be only good news
Будет каждый день сегодня и впредьEvery day, today and from now on
Новый огонёк в лампадке горетьA new little flame will burn in the lamp
Ханука о Ханука свет от менорыHanukkah, oh Hanukkah, the light of the menorah
На холодных стёклах сверкают узорыOn the cold panes patterns sparkle
Белый лунный свет по пальцам бежитWhite moonlight runs along the fingers
На ладошке неба монетка лежитOn the little palm of the sky a coin lies
Russian lyrics by Olga Anikina. The English is a literal, line by line rendering for meaning, prepared for review, not a singing version.
Credits & rights
MusicWalter J. Kin (RIGLI)
LanguageRussian
PublisherRigli Publishing (Walter J. Kin)
Rights ownerRigli Publishing
LicensingRGL License LLC
CopyrightIn album collective work (verify deposit)