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Translated Songs
Vaudeville
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Yiddish Theater
Original language
Title
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Original lyrics
mayne lider (1948; ershte oyflage 1936) bin ikh yung geblibn s'hot di noyt mikh aroys getribn ven ikh hob nokh keyn draytsn yor gehat in der fremd, vayt fun mames oygn hot in shmuts mikh di gas dertsoygn gevorn iz fun mir a voyler yat. ikh bin Avreyml der feikster marvikher a groyser kinstler, kh'arbet laykht un zikher dos ershte mol, kh'vel's gedenken bizn toyt arayn in tfise far lak'khenen a broyt, oy, oy kh'for nisht oyf markn, vi yene proste yatn kh'tsup nor bay karge, shmutsike magnatn kh'bin zikh mekhaye ven kh'tap aza magnat ikh bin Avreyml, gor a voyler yat. in der fremd, nisht gehat tsum lebn gebetn broyt, an oremer flegt nokh gebn nor yene layt vos zenen tomid zat flegn oft traybn mikh mit tsorn s'vakst a ganev, s'iz mekuyem gevorn a ganev bin ikh, nor a voyler yat. ikh bin Avreyml der feikster marvikher a groyser kinstler, kh'arbet laykht un zikher a yat a kleyner arayn in kutshement aroys a mazik, a zeltener talent, oy, oy kh'for nisht oyf markn, vi yene proste yatn kh'tsup nor bay karge, shmutsike magnatn kh'hob lib a mentshn, a mildn a nash-brat ikh bin Avreyml gor a voyler yat. shoyn nisht lang vet dos shpil gedoyern krank fun klep, gift fun tfise moyern nor eyn bakoshe, kh'volt azoy gevolt nokh mayn toyt in a tog a tribn zol oyf mayn matseyve shteyn geshribn mit oysyes groyse un fun gold: do ligt Avreyml der feikster marvikher a mentsh a groyser geven volt fun im zikher a mentsh a fayner mit harts, mit a gefil a mentsh a reyner vi got aleyn nor vil, oy, oy ven iber im volt gevakht a mames oygn ven s'volt di fintstere gas im nisht dertsoygn ven nokh als kind er a tatn volt gehat do ligt Avreyml yener voyler yat
Translated lyrics
I became an orphan when very young, poverty drove me outdoors before I turned thirteen. Away from home, far from mother's care, the dirty gutter raised me, and I became a thief. I am Avreyml, the most accomplished pickpocket. A great artist, I work light and sure. The first time, I'll remember until I die, Thrown in jail for lifting a loaf of bread, oy oy. I don't visit the market, like those common guys. I lift only from the stingy, dirty rich. It's a pleasure to hit such magnates, I'm Avrayml, a truly successful guy. Out among strangers, no way of making a living, Begging for bread -- which the poor would give. But those fine people, who always have plenty, would often drive me away, miserable, yelling "he'll grow up a thief" -- well, they were right A thief I am, but a successful one. I am Avreyml, the most accomplished pickpocket A great artist, I work light and sure, Went into jail a little guy, Came out a demon, with a rare talent, oy oy I don't visit the market, like those common guys. I lift only from the stingy, dirty rich. I prefer the nice fat ones, our own people I'm Avrayml, a truly successful guy. But this game won't last much longer Sick from beatings, poisoned by prison walls, I have only one request, I would like After my death some muddy day, That on my gravestone should be written In great big letters of gold: Here lies Avreyml, the most successful pickpocket, He would have been a great man, surely, A fine man of true heart and feeling, A pious, righteous man as God wanted, oy oy if only he'd had a mother to watch over him If the dark street hadn't raised him, If he'd had a father as a child Here lies Avreyml, that successful guy.
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