Derfar


Derfar vos boym tulyet zikh tsu boym,
Un barg tsu barg,
Un gras tsu gras,
Derfar baynk ikh nokh dir.

Derfar vos shtern spiln zikh mit shtern,
Un royten arum zikh mit zilberne sudukh,
Derfar baynk ikh nokh dir.

Derfar vos nakht brayngt mit zikh khlumukh,
Un voyklt ayn di velt in tsiterdiker baynkshaft,
Derfar baynk ikh nokh dir.


Because


Because tree rests on tree,
And mountain on mountain,
And grass on grass,
Because of this I long for you.

Because stars play with stars,
And sweep with their silver whispers all around them,
Because of this I long for you.

Because night brings with it dreams
And folds the world in trembling longing
Because of this I long for you.


Original Yiddish: Ida Maze
English Translation: Rose Ellen Auerbach