In 1987, legendary Israeli singer Arik Einstein released “Shir HaShayara” (The Convoy Song), in collaboration with Mikki Gavrielov. In 2020, that same song became the musical centerpiece of Israel’s 72nd birthday.
Over the past few years, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has turned to the Israeli music community to help celebrate Yom Ha’atzma’ut. This year, he enlisted the help of singer (and “Fauda” star) Idan Amedi – with cameo appearances by ordinary Israelis nationwide.
The result? A Corona-friendly, socially-distant celebration of what unites us on Independence Day and every day. And the lyrics? They couldn’t be more appropriate. Here’s the translation, courtesy of HebrewSongs.com.
“We only wanted and loved one place…”
| SHIR HASHAYARA Bilshonot rabot misfor dibarnu vezeh et zeh kim’at shelo hikarnu Umekomot rabim me’od azavnu verak makom echa ratzinu veahavnu Umekomot rabim me’od azavnu ve’el ha’aretz el ha’aretz banu Venimshechet shayara min hame’a she’avra Rechokim kvar hayotzim ikarim vachalutzim She’amlu avdu baferech bli lir’ot et sof haderech Veachshav ovrim anachnu lo shakatnu velo nachnu Lo yamshichu biladenu zohi arpatkat chayenu Migeta’ot umachanot hegachnu el habitzot ve’el hayeshimon halachnu Miktzot arav mirusia ufolania hidlaknu or gam bedimona gam bidgania Umikol hagaluyot ve’im kol habe’ayot am notzar ve’eretz kama Vesafa asher nirdama shuv hitchila mitoreret umdaberet umdaberet Misaviv yehom hasa’ar rav hakoshi vehatza’ar Aval yesh al ma lismo’ach yesh od ometz yesh od ko’ach | THE CONVOY SONG We spoke in many different languages and we didn’t know each other We left many different places and only wanted and loved one place We came to this country The convoy keeps on coming since last century Farmers and pioneers who worked very hard not seeing the end of the road Now we come we will not rest we will participate this is our life’s adventure We came from ghettos and camps to the desert and swamps From the Arab countries Russia and Poland We put a light in Dimona and Dgania *** And from all the other places we created a land a nation in spite of all the problems And a language that was dormant started to wake up and be spoken Big storms difficulties and sorrow are surrounding us But there is reasons to be happy there is still courage and strength ***(a town and kibutz in Israel) |
Sing along with President Rivlin!
This isn’t the first time President Rivlin has encouraged Israelis to burst into song for Yom Ha’atzma’ut. Last year, he joined forces with Boaz Sharabi in a powerful new version of “Halevai”.
In 2018, he partnered with Koolulam (and 12,000 singers) to present the most inspirational version of Al Kol Eileh you’ve ever seen.
For Israel’s 69th birthday in 2017, Rivlin sang “Natati La Chayai” with the members of Kaveret and the citizens of Israel.
Yom Ha’atzma’ut 2016 brought Yehoram Gaon to the President’s office, as the two joined with Israelis everywhere to present “Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet”.
Finally, to mark Yom Ha’atzma’ut 2015, the President partnered with Shlomo Artzi to sing the classic “Ahavtiha”.
Kol Hakavod to President Rivlin for keeping us united in joyous song for so many years! Let’s never stop singing…al tafsiku lashir!