barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) (12/20/85)
Last year about this time, I asked plaintively if anyone knew some Hanukkah songs in English. And got told to learn Hebrew. I still haven't. And since we spend some time singing folk and filk music with friends, I have increasingly felt the need for more Jewish songs in English. On the other hand, it feels inappropriate to sing festival or Sabbath songs when it isn't that particularly time of year/week. And there are very few Jewish songs (except for short and repetitive lyrics sung to dance by) which are singable at any time of year. So I wrote one. HILLEL by Lee Gold (based on two Talmud stories) To the tune of "The Hermit" The first three lines are sung; the last line is spoken. There once was a woodcutter, Hillel by name. He studied the Torah and great was his fame For he never got angry -- or so people claimed. Here's the story. One afternoon Hillel was taking a bath, When out at the door came a rat-a-tat-tat. He picked up a towel and asked, "Who is that, And how can I help you?" There stood a young stranger who said, "Please tell me Why the natives of Babylon round-headed be?" "What a very good question," said Hillel sweetly. "Cause their midwives are clumsy." He smiled, shut the door, and got back in his bath, But a few minutes later came rat-a-tat-tat. He jumped out again and said, "Welcome back. Did you have another question?" "Why do the Tadmorites so near-sighted grow?" "'Cause the harsh desert winds into their eyes blow. Were there any more things that you wanted to know? If not, I'll be seeing you." "Here's my next question for you, Hillel dear. Teach me all of your Torah, right now and right here. I'll stand on one foot, all eager to hear-- So tell it quickly." But Hillel just smiled, and here's what he said: "Do not do to others what you yourself dread. That's the whole Torah; on it much has been said. Now go study it." But the young man began to jump up and down. He said, "I've a bet with a fellow in town. If you lost your temper, I'd get 400 crowns, But you didn't." "My son," replied Hillel, "that's the way that things go. You've gained lots of wisdom, if not any dough. I'm sorry you lost but no tantrums I'll throw. God forbid I should lose my temper." --Lee Gold