Americana Germanica [II]

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AMERICANA GERMANIGA. A QUAKTERLY DEVOTED TO THE COMPABATIVE STUDY OP THE LITERARY, LINGUISTIC AND OTHER CULTURAL RELATIONS OF

GERMANY AND AMERICA.

EDITOR

MARION DEXTER LEARNED, University of Pennsylvania.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: H.

W.

C. G.

JULIUS GOEBEL,

BRANDT.

Leland Stanford,

Jr., University. A. HENCH, University of Michigan. 'W. T. HEWETT. Cornell University. A. R. HOHLPELD, Vanderbilt University.

Hamilton College. H. CARRUTH,

GEORGE

University of Kansas.

HERMANN

COLLITZ,

Bryn Mawr

STARR

"W.

College.

CUTTING,

University of Chicago.

SCHMIDT-AVARTENBERG,

danieij k. dodge,

H.

University of Illinois. A. B. PAUST, "Wesleyan University.

HERMANN SCHOENPELD,

KUNO PRANCKE,

CALVIN THOMAS,

University of Chicago.

Columbian University. Columbia University.

Harvard University.

ADOLP GERBER, Earlham College.

H.

S.

"WHITE,

Cornell University.

HENRY

-WOOJi, Johns Hopkins University.

Vol.

II.

-

-

-

at the

Post Office at

-

1898.

Single Copies 75 Cents.

Subscription Price $2.00.

Entered

-

New York

as second-class matter.

BConion:

Metn ^oi?k:

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.

MAYER & MULLER,

MACMILLAN & Agents.

CO., Lt'd.

FOREIGN CONTRIBUTORS. The following expressed

is

a

list

their willingness

Germanica

of the names of Foreign Scholars who have to cooperate as contributors to Americana

:

Prof. Dr. Otto Bindewald, of Giessen. Privatdocent Dr. Kari, Borinski, University of Munich. Prof. Dr. Ai.oys Brandl, University of Berlin. Privatdocent Dr. Otto Bremer, University of Halle. Prof. Dr. Karl Breul, King's College, Cambridge, England. Prof. Dr. Konrad Burdach, University of Halle. Prof. Dr. Creizenach, University of Krakau. Prof. Dr. Ernst Elster, University of Leipzig. Dr. K. Endemann, Weilburg, a. E. Prof. Dr. Eudwig Geiger, University of Berlin. Dr. GraeveIvL, Brussels. Prof. Dr. F. Holthausen, University of Gotenburg. Privatdocent Dr. M. H. Jellinek, University of Vienna. Privatdocent Dr. O. E. Jiriczek, University of Breslau. Prof. Dr. Max Koch, University of Breslau. Prof. Dr. K. Eandmann, Darmstadt. Prof. Dr. H. Eambel, University of Prague. Privatdocent Dr. John Meier, University of Halle. Privatdocent Dr. Rudolph Meissner, University of Gottingen. Privatdocent Dr. Richard M. Meyer, University of Berlin. Prof. Dr. J. Minor, University of Vienna. Prof. Dr. E. Mogk, University of Eeipzig. Prof. Dr. Eorenz Morsbach, University of Gottingen. Prof. Dr. F. Muncker, University of Munich. Prof. Dr. Paul Nerrlich, Berlin. Dr. a. Ohlert, Konigsberg. Prof. Dr. Anton Schonbach, University of Graz. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Seuffert, University of Graz. Prof. Dr. Alexander Tille, University of Glasgow. Prop. Dr. V. Valentin, Hochstift, Frankfurt, a. M. Prof. Dr. H. Varnhagen, University of Erlangen. Prof. Dr. Oskar Walzel, University of Bern. Prof. Dr. G. Witkowski, University of Eeipzig. Prof. Dr. Wychgram, Eeipzig. (List

may

be extended.)

£ IS'-f

C3

CONTENTS, No.

Vol.

II.

PAGE

1.

2.

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews The Gender of English Loan Words

3.

From

1.

.

L,eo

Wiener.

Daniel K. Dodge. Pastorius' "Bee Hive," Part II Historische Anmerkungen

27

1

7.

^ M. D. Learned. Schwenkfelder School Documents \ Hermann CoIvLitz. Zu Goethe's Faust A Note on the " Hildebrandslied." W. KurreIvMEyer.

1.

The

2.

Popular Poetry of the Russian Je-ws.

Leo Wiener.

33

3.

From

M. D. Learned, Proceedings of the First Meeting of the Association of the Teachers of German in Pennsylvania ...

59

4.

4.

5. 6.

Preposition in

Pastorius' "

Bee Hive," Part

German American Hymnology,

2.

On Some Passages

3.

The Goethe

I.

C. R. Miller. (Concluded.)

William A. Haussmann. Goethe's "Faust," and Their Interpretation, by Professor Calvin Thomas.

71

i

in

Institutions in

Charles A. Eggert. their W^ork

62

Weimar and

1898.

Adolf Gerber. Beitrage zur Erklarung von Goethe's Faust II im Anschluss an die Ausgabe von Calvin Thomas,

71

Julius Goebel.

90

No. I.

The

2.

The

Preposition in

4.

Hans Sachs.

(Concluded.) C. R.

5.

i

III.

from the Beginning of 1897 to the Middle of

4.

90

3.

1.

3.

87

2.

Hans Sachs, Part

No.

4.

33

.

No.

—

i

Danish.

in

Miller.

Influence of Laurence Sterne upon German Literature T. S. Baker. Dr. Charles Burney on Schubart F. H. Wilkens. The Probable Source and Date of Canitz's Eighth Satire " Der Hof" C. W. Prettyman. From Pastorius' "Bee Hive," Part IV, M. D. Learned. .

.

i

41

57 61

65

iv

Contents.

REVIEWS AND MISCELLANEOUS. No.

I.

Calvin Thomas.

Rudolf Steiner, Goethe's Weltanschauung J. E.

Wackernell, Altdeutsche Passionsspiele aus Tirol, mit Abhand-

lungen uber ihre Entwickelung Composition, Quellen, Auffuhrun,

gen,

W. H.

litterarhistorische

Carruth, Schiller's

H. Schmidt-Wartenberg.

Stellung

Wilhelm 7 ell with httroduction and Notes. Hermann Schoenfei,d.

No. 2. Oren-

Emil Benez^, Sagen- und Litterarhistorische Untersuchungen. del,

Wilhelm von Orense und Robert der Teufel

Dorothea Boettcher, Deutche Kldnge in Amerika

.

.

Danibi, B. Shttmway.

.... Charlotte Grosse.

No. 3. Julius Friedrich Sachse,

Frank Reid

The Fatherland {1450-iyoo).

Diffenderffer,

The German Exodus

to

England

in ijog

M. D. Learned.

{Massen-Auswanderung der Pfdlzer)

No. 4. Daniel Kilham Dodge.

Henrik Cavling, Fra Amerika J.

A. Eberhard, Synonymisches Handworterbuch der deutschen Sprache. A. R,

Theodor Kircbhoff,* Hermann, Ein Auswandererleben History of the * Deceased

German Drama March

2,

HOHLFELD.

M. D. Learned,

.

.

in America.

1899.

SPECIAL TO LIBRARIES. As Volume

I

will soon be exhausted

the sale of separate numbers.

Volume Volume

I,

II,

it

has been found necessary to limit

Back numbers can be had

as follows:

Nos. 1-4 (numbers not sold separately) Nos. 1-4

Separate numbers of

.

.

.

I3.00. I2.00.

Volume

II

each

0.75.

CONTENTS, No. 1.

Vol.

II.

PAGE

1.

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews of English Loan W^crds

2.

The Gender

3.

From

L,eo

.

in

Wiener.

i

Danish.

Daniel K. Dodge.

27

7.

"Bee Hive," Part II Historische Anmerkungen r M. D. Learned. Schwenkfelder School Documents J Zu Goethe's Faust Hermann Collitz. A Note on the " Hildebrandslied." W. Kurrelmeyer.

1.

The

2.

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews,

Wiener.

33

3.

From

M. D. Learned. Proceedings of the First Meeting of the Association of the Teachers of German in Pennsylvania ...

59

4.

4. 5. 6.

Pastorius'

»

No. Preposition in

Pastorius' "

Bee Hive," Part

No.

I.

C. R. Miller. (Concluded.)

3.

Beitrage

71

3. i

in

Charles A. Eggert. zur Erklarung von Goethe's Faust II im Anschluss an die Ausgabe von Calvin Thomas,

62

Julius Goebel.

90

(Concluded.) C. R. Miller.

t

No. 1.

The

2.

The

5.

III.

William A. Haussmann. Goethe's "Faust," and Their Interpretation, by Professor Calvin Thomas.

On Some Passages

4.

i

German American Hymnology.

2.

3.

87

90

2.

Hans Sachs, Part

lyEo

1.

33

.

Preposition in

4:,

Hans Sachs.

Influence of Laurence Sterne upon German Literature T. S. Baker. Dr. Charles Burney on Schubart F. H. Wilkens. The Probable Source and Date of Canitz's Eighth Satire " Der Hof" C. W. Prettyman.

61

From

65

.

Pastorius'

.

"Bee Hive," Part IV, M.

D. Learned.

41

57

Contents.

REVIEWS AND MISCELLANEOUS. No.

I.

Calvin Thomas.

Rudolf Steiner, Goethe's Weltanschauung J. E. Wackernell, Altdeutsche Passionsspiele aus

Tirol,

mit Abhand-

lungen uber ihre Entwickelung Composition, Quellen, Auffuhrun,

H. Schmidt- Wartenberg.

gen, litterarhistorische Stellting

W.

and Notes.

H. Carruth, Schiller'' s Wilhehn Tell with Introduction

Hermann

Schoenfei,d.

No. 2. £mil Benez^, Sagen- und Litterarhistorische Untersuchungen. del, IVilhelm

von Orense und Robert der Teufel

Dorothea Boettcher, Deutche Kldtige in Amerika

.

.

Oren-

Daniei, B. Shtjmway,

....

Chari^otTE Grosse.

No. 3. Julius Friedrich Sachse, The Fatherland {1450-1700).

Frank Reid

Diffenderflfer,

The German Exodus

{Massen-Auswanderung der P/dlzer)

to

Etigland in lyog

M. D. Learned.

.

No. 4. Daniel Kilham Dodge.,

Henrik CavHng, Fra Amerika J. A. Eberhard, Synonymisches

Handworterbuch der deutschen Sprache. A. R.

Theodor

KirchhofiF,*

History of the

Hermann, Ein Auswandererleben

German Drama

* Deceased March

2,

.

HoHLFELD.

M. D. Learned.

.

in America.

1899.

SPECIAL TO LIBRARIES. As Volume I will soon be exhausted it has been found necessary to limit the sale of separate numbers. Back numbers can be had as follows:

Volume Volume

I,

Nos. 1-4 (numbers not sold separately) Nos. 1-4

II,

Separate numbers of

Volume

II

each

.

.

.

^3.00. I2.00, 0.75.

Vol.

1898

II.

No.

i.

AMERICANA GERMANICA. POPULAR POETRY OF THE RUSSIAN JEWS.

Harkavy^ aud Bersadskij ^ there were few, if any, German Jews in Poland and Russia previous to the fifteenth century. In the second half of the sixteenth their permanent residence there in large numbers is attested by the fact that several presses in these Slavic countries issued Judeo-German books. In the next century their number must have been very considerable in comparison with those who were left over in Germany, or who had settled in Holland, for many of the works published in the Mother Country and in the Netherlands had mainly in view their readers in Poland, while some were anxious to procure letters patent, amounting to copyrights, from Polish kings. ^ We have also an internal evidence in the language that the immigration, at least the one that gave rise to the Jewish communities in Slavic countries, must have taken place not earlier than the fifteenth and not later than the first half of the According

to

sixteenth century. that the

The

modern three

latest limit is to

be found in the fact

varieties of vSlavo-Judeo-German clearly

represent evolutions of the idiom found in the earliest prints, A. Harkavy, Jazyk evreev, zivsix v drevnee vremja na Rusi, St. Petersburg, ^ Such a one, ^ S. A. Bersadskij, Litovskie evrei, St. Petersburg, 1883. for example, was granted by John III, of Poland, to the printers of the Blitz Bible, and is given in Latin and Judeo-German in the introduction of the same. ^

1866.

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

2

while the early

New High German

forms found in them point

than the beginning of the fifteenth century. Germanic part of the language represents seventy per cent

to a period later

The

of the total

vocabulary

;

the grammatical structure

is

almost

shows a strong admixture of Slavic thought. The twenty per cent of Hebrew and ten per cent of Slavic words that enter into its composition in no way disguise the German form of the language, and the same must be placed dialectally with the varieties of the Middle Rhine, particularly with those of Frankfurt and Worms. The Jews have carried the German language, and, with it, German culture, farthest East, and it is due to their exceptional position under the Magdeburg right in Poland and, later, to their extreme oppression that they have preserved comparatively intact their German inheritance. But it was not so easy to escape the moral and mental influence of their surroundings, and in consequence the Russian and Polish Jews have come as much under the influence of the Slavic intellectual atmosphere as they had originally been under the German add to this their rigid adherance to the Mosaic ritual and their Hebrew training, and we get a most extraordinary mixture of Germanic, Slavic and Semitic elements, such as is probably not to be found elsewhere on the globe. Their folklore, which offers an endless, unexplored field to the investigator, illustrates this mixture very well. entirely Germanic, but the syntax

;

It

knows

all

the mythical animals of the

pipcrnoter (-vipernatter-Lindwurm)

;

air

Talmud

with the Semitic 7nejsim^ dibukim^ gilgulim^

German

^'isn (-Riesen), ^srejtcle (-Schratelein),

nfstguter (-nie dobry) and evil eye, the superstitious

mudic

lore,

as well as the

and earth are peopled lej'cim^

with the

the Slavic zlidne.^

domowoj ; in cases of sickness of the Jew will consult indifferently his Tal-

the Little-Russian znaxarka^ or the Tartar medi-

cine-man. So, too, the Jewish folkmusic, as well as the Synagogical

music, shows that strange welding of different elements

now imagines he set in a

hears the strains of a

minor key, now one

German

listens to the

;

one

mediaeval Licd^

pining tones of the

—

—

'

Leo Wiener.

3

Ivittle-Russian kobzar\ as he accompanies his

or the

melancholy duma^

refrain of the Polish krakowiak.

wanton

In the same

way, the words of the folksongs themselves betray their various

Environment generally affects their compohave in my collection a lullaby from the Baltic provinces, which is nothing else than a well-known hymn of Luther's in which the Christian dogma has been eliminated and an orthodox formula substituted. From the Gouv. of Suwalk, close to the German border, the following song by its very language origin or mixture.

sition.

I

shows

its

German borrowing

:

"

" Gutn^ morgn, kupersmid ' '

Sejn dank

dem

kesler

" Wilstu majn swoger

!

' !

zajn,

"

Hejrat di swester

!

Ix hob gehert, di fafenfrouen

Zicn in di haln, Liberst

nem

Hob

fil

ix

ix a suster a

man,

gezeln.

Ix o gehert, di susterfrouen

Muzn

di

Liberst

Ob

ix

opzacn pakn,

nem

ix a snajder a

wos cu

man,

latn.

^ The poems, on which the present investigation is founded, are almost all from my private manuscript collection they were taken down from the mouths of Russian Jews resident in Boston and New York, and represent the various dialects and subdivisions of the language. The transliteration is phonetic the consonants marked with an apostrophe represent the Russian palatalized sounds, while s G. ch (in ach), z G. z. E. sh, c E. zh, x E. tch, z E. z, c It will be readily seen that several varieties of Judeo-German have incorporated the palatalized sounds also in words of German origin. The following rules, embodying the vowel changes from German, will be found of service G. a becomes o in Lithuania, in the South and Poland G. a remains unchanged G. e and e becomes ej and e respectively G. o becomes oj and ej (according to localities) in I,ithuania, oj and oj in Poland, and oj in the South; G. remains unchanged G. u becomes u in Lithuania, and i elsewhere; G. u remains unchanged, but in the South it is frequently changed to i or y (in Galicia) G. ei, from M. H. G. i, \^aj in Lithuania, dj in Poland, and d in the South, while G. eiy from M. H. G. ei, is ej in the North, and aj in the South G. au becomes ou ;

;

=

=

=

=

=

= :

li,

;

;

;

;

;

;

or

o;',

and, in the South, occasionally

oj.

— — :

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

4

Ix o g-ehert, di flejserfrouen

Hobm

farsmucte tasn,

Liberst

nem

Hob

wos cu nasn.

ix

ix

a cukern'ik' a man,

Ix o gehert, di cukern'ikfrouen Muzn fil farborgn, Liberts blajb ix a junge frou,

Hob

ix nist

wos cu zorgn

!

following poem, from the Gouv. of Kamenec-Podolsk, a remodelling of a well-known Russian folksong

The

is

:

Wi Wi

zant

ir

Ci^

mitn

fajer farbrant

mane jinge jurn,

zant'' ir,

ain

gikimen

?

giworn,

Ci mitn waser awagiswimen

?

" Spant mir ajn, spant mir ajn

Dem

wugn

bastn fejrd in

nomir

!

Nomir* " Unzere jinge jtlrn derjugn lojfn,

lojfn

!

Mir zanen

gilofn,"

mir zanen gilofn

Iber di brajte brikn

" Kejrt zax im, kejrt zax im " Mir wain® zax mit ax derkwikn !

!

" Mir wain zax nist imkejrn, mir wain zax nist imkejrn,

Wajl's

iz

nistu ci

wajmen

!'

Ir ot cat giat, ir ot cat giat,

Inz

frier ci

basejnen!

"

Although borrowing from the nations surrounding them, the Jews have not been their slavish imitators, but have welded the

new form, in conformity with their own spirit. preeminently inhabitants of towns their very been They have admission into Poland was based on the supposition that they material into a

;

1

Confectioner, Pol.

Pol. czy.

to

come

*

to,

^

G. * Hi. for there

Let

us,

Where are

you, Ger.

We did run, is

not to

G.

whom

*

^

Particle introducing a question,

We shall,

(trans,

For we have nobody G. from Russian ne k komu). ''

:

Leo

would be instrumental

IVietier.

5

towns and

in creating

from which have incapacitated them for any other occupation than commerce and artisanship and have entirely estranged them from nature. On the other hand, their civil disabilities and oppression have led them to cling more closely to the Bible and their religious lore, than was customary among their correligionists in other lands. the agricultural Slavs kept aloof.

It is in

these Slavic countries that the

and that

was introduced

cities,

Centuries of city

Talmud was

life

rediscovered

to the rest of Judaism.

All these circumstances developed in them a strong retrospective spirit, it

so that in the center of their intellectual horizon stands

man

in

varying moods and vicissitudes of fortune. Consequently all their folksongs have more or less of a lyrical tinge, and the consideration of nature is almost entirely absent from them all his

;

occasionally a flower, a natural

phenomenon

finds a passing

mention in them, but they are never used for their own intrinsic interest.

Outside of himself, the

God and His

man,

Jew knows only

his duties to

from his duties to God. Not feeling himself as a constituent part of a nation, having no other union with his fellowmen except that of religion, he could never rise to the appreciation and formation of an epic poem, although the material for such a one was present in the very popular legend of the one-day king, Saul Wahl.^ duties to

as flowing

The cradle songs reflect this spirit. While babies of Gentiles hear meaningless nursery rhymes or comical ditties, the Jewish infants are early made acquainted with the serious aspects of life.

which

They

are told of the ideal of their future

occupation,

commerce, they are spurred on to "tojre," which is learning, mainly religious, and they are reminded that they must remain an " erlixer," i. e. an orthodox, Jew. The followis

ing poem

is,

probably, the most popular song in Judeo-German,

sung from Galicia

as

it is

to

Roumania

to Siberia,

and from the Baltic provinces

^ A complete discussion of this subject, from the pen of Bersadskij, appeared a few years ago in the Russian monthly Vosxod.

!

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

6

Inter Jankeles' wigele Stejt a klor-wajs cigele: iz gifurn handlen Rozinkelax ^ mit mandlen. Rozinkelax mit mandlen Zanen^ di baste sxojre/ Jankele wet lejrnen tojre,^ Tojre wet er lejrnen, Briwelax* wet er srabm,

Cigele

In an ejrlixer Id

Wet

er af tomid' farblabm.

Another cradle song, from the Gouv.

Slof ze,^

Max

blof,

majn

Dir

stejt sejn

dox

ict'^

ajn jeder

!

grejt" do,

ze cu di ejgelax af etlexene " so

iz

perfect :

tajer kind,

ze cu di ejgelax gix* un geswind

Dajn esn un dajn trinkn

Max

Grodno, more same principle

of

in form, incnlcates in its last strophe the

'^ !

mekane " !

Weste mircem'" zajn a grejser tane,'^ West dox dajne eltern becirn un besejnen Past dox nist far dir cu pjescen " zax un cu wejnen

But commerce and learning are not for girls. They are generally incapacitated for the first by their onerous duties of home while learning, at least a knowledge of the Sacred language and She its lore, has never been regarded as a requisite of woman. means ethical training by received her religious instruction and of Judeo-German books which owe their very origin to the The name of the script in which necessity of educating her. centuries are printed is "Weiberpast three the of books these all The the use to which it was put. deutsch," indicating at once " gar hipsch title pages of the works generally tell that they are bescheidlich far frume weiber un meidlich," or that " di weiber ;

'

Dim. of Jajnkef, Jacob.

^

Raisins,

G.

^

Are,

G.

*

Merchandise, H. particle, R. " Envious,

H. * Precative >» Ready, G. " A few, G. i^ Hours, H. " Now. G. » Quickly, G. H. ^^ If Heaven grant it, H. i« Scholar, H. " Fret, P. *

Religious lore,

H.

"

Epistles, G.

'

Forever,

:

Leo Wiener.

un meidlich

di

7

well damit vertreiben di heiligen teg."

biblical injunction

The

"fructify and multiply yourself" invests

with a special sacredness, throws a gloom over the childless home, and leads this people to regard motherhood as All these sentiments find the ideal state of the Jewish woman. frequent expressions in their songs, and while the infant boy is family

life

lulled to sleep with a recitation of his future

baby

girl hears in

her cradle

manly

virtues, the

:

Tamus,^ du damele,^ zajn ajn mamele.^

Westu

Childhood alone claims exemption from oppressing thoughts and gloom childhood must have its merriments, its pranks, its wantonness, no matter how serious life is to become later, or how :

With the Jew youth, indeed, lasts but it is to be ended. " an hour," and in after-life he has many an occasion to regret

soon

short duration

its

Jorn klejne, Jorn sejne,

Wos

Me

ir* azoj wejnig do ? nor gekumen, hot ajx sejn oufgenumen,

Un

zent nor

zent

Ir zent

gewen ba unz

ejn so!*

Jorn junge, Jorn gringe,

Wos

zent ir azoj gix ® awek ? Es zet ajx nit kajn ejgl,' Es derjogn ajx nit di fejgl, ^ Ir zent awek gor on ajn ek !

The number

sung by children is very great. They from similar popular productions of other

of ditties

do not in general

differ

nations, either in form or content

;

some

are evidently identical

' The fourth month in the Jewish calendar, coinciding with the second half of June and the first of July, H. ^ Little lady, G. ^ Little mother, G. * Why « Without an end, are you, G. ^ Hour, H. « Quickly, G. ' Little eye, G.

i. e.

forever, G.

:

:

:

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

8

To

with German songs, while a few are Slavic borrowings. belong the four-lined verses

latter class

the

:

Cigele migele kotena,'

Rojte pomerancen,

Az* der

tate'*

mame,

slogt di

Gejen di kinderlax tancen,

which there are endless

of the nature of

many

and the

variations,

doggerels detracting some special name, such as Jajnkele Jajnkele majner,

S'warcer cigajner biste gelegn ?

!

Wu

Unter a wic'ke.* hoste gezejgn

Wos

A

But there are two

mnemonic

?

xazers'e^ cic'ke.*

classes of songs peculiarly

depict the ideal course of a boy's

Nojax

Ejle toldes

Fyn

br'onfn* ot

wan Fyn

Ow

iz

with

its lines ;

the

first

the

belongs

:'

men

kojax,*

men"

siker.^^

a futer,

Ke jder

iz

A

iz

tuter

a tuter," kejder,

Bigudim

iz

Majim

waser,

iz

klejder,

Waser iz majim, Lomir" trinkn lexajim productions

To

life.

;

those that

der iker,"

br'onfn wet iz

Jewish

Hebrew words, and

lines for the study of

^^ !

libitum, and a number of similar an extension of the cradle song, as

extensible ad

the second

is

given above '

Rhyme jingle,

in

which the

first

word

is

"goat," the third kitten, and the

second, probably, onomatopoetic for 'bleating.'

Hog's, H. ^ Teat, R. Genesis VI, 9 These are the generations of Noah. H. •" The important thing, H. '^ One becomes, G. Switch, White Russian.

'•>

:

1*

Let

us.

'^

To our

healths,

H.

^ ''

When, G. ^Father, The first three words ^

^''

Brandy, G.

Drunk, H.

®

"

P.

of

Strength. Tartar, R.

Leo Wiener.

A klejne wajle weln

mir^

s'piln,

Dem kind in xejder^ weln mir Wet er lernen a por s'ures,* Wern

firn,

mir hern gute ps'ures,*

Gute ps'ures mit fil majles,^ Cu der xupe® paskenen' s'ajles.* 's et

zajn gefeln

Xosn-kale'°— a

A

'

der gancer welt,

fule gelt,"

mit mazel-broxe,''*

fule gelt

—

Xosn-kale a s'ejne mis'poxe,^^ , S'ejne mis'poxe mit s'ejnem trest.i* Oges'telt^^ af draj jor kest.'^

The man's career used to run in just such a stereotyped manner: at a tender age, when children have not yet learned to properly he was sent to the " xejder," the elemenlong before the romantic feeling has its rise in youth, he was betrothed and married, but unable to earn a livelihood for the family with which he prayed to be blessed, he articulate their speech,

tary Jewish school

had

to stay for a

;

number

the

Talmud

with his parents or parents-inhe generally passed in

of years

law, eating "kest" or board

;

this time

school, perfecting himself in the casuistry of relig-

ious discussion, while the

ever increasing family. flourish, at least

not that

woman

at

once began to care for her

Under such conditions love could not romantic love of which the young Gen-

dream and which finds its utterance in their popular poetry. The word love does not exist in the Judeo-German dictionary, and wherever that feeling, with which they have become acquainted only since the middle of this century, is to be named, The man's the Jews have to use the German word " Liebe." hope was to marry into some "sejne mispoxe," a good and respected family, while the girl's dream was to get a husband tiles

We shall,

Lines,

H.

' Decide, Marriage baldachin, //. H. '" Bridegroom and bride, //". please, C. '' Family, " Apparel, G. ings, H. //.

*

1

*

6".

^

School, //.

^

" *^

*

News,

//.

^

Good

qualities,

Religious questions, H.

A great deal of money, Remaining, G.

'^

6*.

®

H.

It will

'-'Bless-

Board, G.

:

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

lO

who was

well versed in "rabonise

tojre,"

i.

e.^

Jewish

lore.

While the boy, by his occupation with the Bible and the Talmud, was taught to look on marriage as on an act pleasing to God, the girl was freer to allow her fancy to roam in the realms bordering on the sensations of love. ix, s'ejn, un s'ejn iz majn nomen Ret men mir s'iduxim' fun grejse rabonim.^

S'ejn bin

:

Rabonis'e

Un

A A

ix baj

tejre iz zejr grejs,

majn mamen^ a

c'ixtige* rejz.

rejz iz afn dax, lixtige^ naxt,

Waser iz in stub, hole iz in Welxer boxer® hob ix fajnt,

hojz,

im arojs

trajb ix

;

Fis'elax in waser, krepelax' in puter,

Welxer boxer hot mix

fajnt,

a rix* in zajn muter

!

But such an exultation of free choice could be only passing, match was made without consulting her feelings in the matter her greatest concern was that she might be left an old maid, while her companions pass into the ordained state of matrimony. Songs embodying this fear are quite common the following is one of them as the

;

;

:

Zic

ix'

mir afn

Nemt mir

Ale mejdiax

Nor

stejn,

on^° a grejs

obm

gewejn

:

xasene,^^

ix blajb alejn.

Oj wej, morgnstern Wen wel ix a kale^^ wern, !

Ci"

A

hajnt, ci

morgn?

sejne mejdel bin ix dox,

Un

a rajxn tatn" ob ix

dox

!

In the more modern songs in which the word " love "

word represents that legitimate inclination sex which culminates in marriage, as that

'

H.

Fritters,

mother, !•'

Bride,

etc.,

H.

used

^ Rabbis, H. * Boy, ^ Mother, G. * Pretty, G. ^ Clear, G. G. ^ An evil ghost, //./ May the evil spirit enter your father, ^" ® I sit, G. is a common curse. Seizes me, G. " Wedding, H. " Whether— or, P. " Father, P.

Matches, H. '

is

for the opposite

1

:

Leo Wiener.

1

Ax, wi smekt mir dos libele In majn hercens gribele Mit majn man, mit majn man !

In ajn klejne stibele

Now,

uncommon,

that love and love matches are not

woman who addressed by men

again

the strongest advocate of them

is

women

to

with equal propriety by the

woman's

!

are rare, and they latter.

love, as expressed in

The

them,

it

is

love songs

;

may

be recited

chief characteristic of

constancy and depth of

is

feeling.

S'warc Ix o

^

binste,' s'warc, azej wi a cigajner,

gemejnt, az du west zajn majner

;

S'warc binste, ober mit xejn,^

Far wemen du

mir binste Sejn

binst mies,* far

;

Sejn binste, wi zilber, wi gold, Wer 's ot dix fajnt,* un ix o dix holt.

Fun Di

Many

ken a doktor ophejln, majn heron ken ix far kejnem

ale felern

libe fun

nit dercejln.

are the songs of pining for the distant lover

;

they show

all the melancholy touches of similar Slavic love ditties and are They range from the the most poetical of all the Jewish songs. soft regrets of the lover's temporary absence to the deep and gloomy despair of the betrothed one's death, though the latter is always tempered by a resignation which comes from implicit faith in the ways of Heaven. Here are a few of them in illustration of the various forms which this pining assumes

Bajm breg* waser

Un ken

tu ix stejn

cu dir nit kumen,

Oj, fun wajtens rufstu mix,

Ix ken ober nit

swimen

!

iz majn welt, Majn jugent iz s'warc, Majn gHk iz farstelt, Es fojlt mir majn hare.

Finster

"

You

are,

like you, G.

G. «

^ I

have, G.

Edge,

SI.

'

Grace, H.

*

Homely, H.

*

Some may

not

—

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

12

Es Es

mir jetwider ejwer,* mir dos blut, Mit dir in ejn kejwer' Wet mir zajn gut. '

citert kilt

Ax, wos wilste, muter, hobm, Wos muc'estu* dajn kind? Wos wilste mir bagrobm ? Far wosere ^ zind ? Ix ob kejn naxas^ gehat,

Nor

lejdn

un kumer,

Ix welk wi ejn blat,

Wi

ejn

Wu

blum

nem

Xoc'*

sof^

majn

ix

Un du Ix gej mir arojs di

frajnd,

ejf ejn s'o?'

Ale hobm mir

Flit

zumer.

fajnt,

binst'° nito."

stejtele^^ ojscikikn.i^

derex" a sejner

fojgl in tit

mir majn

Nit azoj'* zajn sejnkajt, wi zajn ojx^'

A briwele

ot er mir arugebraxt,"

nam dus

Ix

" Ci wejnen

el ix

iz

arc, 'x

fin

Win.

ci lejenen,^"

ob aP' ungefangen wejnen:

ubm,'^ mame-lejb,"^ azoj wi ejner af a ktirbm

"^* !

majn zis lejbm iz sejn gistorbm, im sejn bagrubm, mir zax mien,^' un in Ganejdn^* zol er dortn ubm

Ix lejen iber di lecte

Er Er

bam

derkwikn,—

wos kimt un

briwele in der and, ejb es un^*

ot mir azoj farklemt

's

arc^^

flien,

sire,^^

sejn gistorbm in mi^® ot

zol lojfn far

!''

Tojzenter menc'n s'pacirn gegangn

Gegangn

zajnen^" zej glajx.

In ajn wajle hert zax ajn ras

-^^

" "Ratewet^^ ajn menc'n fun tajx !

^ Grave, H. * Vex, 7?. ^ What kind of, G. ^ Member, H. i" " Not here, G. * At least, P. » Hour, H. Are, G. End, N. " Little town, G. " Look about, G. " Flies through, G. ^^ Heart, G. ^^ Not Read, French so much, G. " High, G. " Brought down, G. ^^ I begin, G. 1

*

Every, G.

Joy, H.

'

''"

A

Russian strengthening particle the sentence means so that I could ^^ Mother dear, G. I shall have occasion to cry, G. not keep from crying. ^^ Man, ^^ Line, H. ^* Sacrifice, H. G. " To put in a word for me, G. ^^ Paradise, H. ^' May he have his reward, G. ^^ Had gone, G. ^^ Noise, H. ^- Save, P. (?).

^^

;

'--

:

—— — —

Leo Wiener.

13

S'warce wolkn dem himl bacejgn, Di zun iz arop mit ajnmol, Wi er iz in waser arajn, Hot men derkont zajn kol/

Wi me

em fun waser arojsgenumen, men gemaxt a plan

hot

Azej^ ot

:

Tojzenter menc'n cu der micwe^ zax genumen,

Cu

ratewen* a jungn man.

Wi me

hot

Azej

gewen

iz

Wi me Azej ot

em

fun waser arojsgecejgn, di fiselax cubisn,

em af di tare-bret^ men di tnoim® curisn.

hot

arufgelejgt,

Zi s'tejt lebm em, Trern gisn fun ire ejgn Ribejneselejlem,^ bawajz mir dajn wunder Wi azej^ men wet em in kejwer** lejgn " :

'

'

!

" Mamen'u I'uben'u,'" mamen'u harcen'u!" Der trejst iz fun mir ajnwek/^ Ix wolt zix wins'n in ejnem zajn, Un fun mir zol zajn ajn ek "'* !

"Toxtern'u" I'uben'u, toxtern'u harcen'u Cu^* den biste ejne af der welt

Der

klajbt nit iber,^®

tejt

Af deruf'

iz

!

?

saj^' alt, saj

jung,

ges'telt di welt."

" Zajne zaxn, wos^" er ot getrogn eP dos gewis baklogn

Ix

Ix

el

cus'enkn oreme bbxerimlax,^^ " tilim^^

Zej zoln noch

With the same repeat the prayer

:

em

zogn

!

feeling that prompts

O

"

Lord,

I

the Jewish

woman

to

thank thee that thou has created

Deserving act, H. * Save, P. ^ Bier, H. G. « CerLord of the world, H. * As soon as, G. ^ Grave, H. ^^ Dear little mother, Slavic diminutives oimame (G. Mama) and Si. luba. " SI. All consolation has left me, G. " There should be an end of dim. of hare. me, G. " SI. dim. of Tochter. '^ P. interrogative particle. ^^ Does not choose, G. " Whether— or, G. ^^ On this, G. '» Which, G. "> I shall, G. '' Young men, H. ^^ Psalms, H. 1

Voice, H.

tificate

'^

So, G.

of betrothal, ^'^

H.

^

'

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

14

me

according to thy will

that thou hast created

ments

!

"

man prays " I thank thee man," she regards her disappoint-

while the

me

a

:

in love as perfectly natural, for let' trog ix a grojs nidnist^ in hare,

Dos

iz

and the inconstancy

dox der of

nekejvves' rewoxim,*

man, which forms the subject

of all

and

love, does not call forth recriminations

unhappy which one would expect, but only

of

regrets at her

own

songs

curses,

credulity

:

Ix hob erst beklert,*

Az' mir zenen' ale® wert, Unz wajber darf * men brenen un Mir trogn in harcn ranes,'" Wajl mir glejbm sarlatanes, Mir gebm iber unzer lebm dem

With

it

begin

that the

of the

life

all

and the jestmaker,'^ who uniting the pair,

sotn.^i

wedding day must appear as the woman, but such is not the case. the tribulations for which she is singled out,

One would imagine happiest in the

brotn,

always present at the ceremony of addresses the bride with the words is

:

Kalen'u/^ kalen'u, wejn Der xtisn " wat dir sikn a !

Wast dax basmarkn ^^ inviting her to

weep instead

sisele

mit xrejn/^

biz in di fule cejn,"

of smiling,

and he follows

this dog-

with a discussion of the vanities of life and the sadness of woman's lot. Even if her marital happiness should be unmarred by any unfaithfulness of her husband and Jewish men for the o-erel

—

greater part are good husbands and fathers * Now, G. That, C.

^

Sickness,

.SV.

^

Woman's, H.

*

—there are the cares

Reward, H.

^

Considered, G.

'» Wounds, ' Ought to, R. Everything, G. G. 11 Satan, H. ^^ The second part of this article will tell of his functions at the wedding and his influence in disseminating popular poetr>\ '' SI. dim. of Heb. " Bridegroom, H. ^^ Horse raddish, SI. '^ Snivel, R. " Down to kale, bride.

«

'

'

Are, G.

your very teeth, G.

*

Leo Wiener.

which frequently

of earning the daily bread,

while the stronger vessel subtelties,

worse of

is

fall on the woman, brooding over some Talmudical

there are the eternal worries over the babies, and

all

the proverbial mother-in-law

if the wife chances to few years after marriage. The ideal but a passing dream, and no one can escape the

board with her for the of the Jewess is

awakening

15

first

to a horrible reality

A

:

mejdele wert a kale^

In ejn rege,^ in ejn minut,

Mit ir frejen zax ale, Di frejd iz nor cu ir.

Der xosn^ Zi wert

Wen

zi tut

Wins't

s'ikt prezentn,

gor

naj geborn,

zax on,*

'm lange jorn.

zi

Zi gejt mitn xosn s'pacirn

Un

tut in s'pigele a kik,*

S'tejen ejlem* mens'n

Un Ot®

Un

zajnen mekane^ firt

ot

men zi men

firt

S'tejen a

Un

dem

glik.

cu der xupe, zi

curik,

kupe^ mejdlax

zajnen

mekane dem

hi morgn nox der

glik.

xupe,^"

Di frajmut iz nox in gancn Der xosn zict wi a mejiax " Un di kale gejt zax tancn. Draj jor nox der xupe Der frajmut iz s'em " arop Di junge wajbl gejt arum

:

:

Mit a cudrejter kop. '

Bride,

H.

Moment, //. ^ Bridegroom, H. *Attires ^ Crowd, H. Envy, H. « Now, S/. " King, H. '' Already, G. ^

in the mirror, G.

ding, //.

'•

herself, G. '•*

Crowd, P.

'"

Glances ^»

Wed-

6

:

Popular Poetry of the Russian

1

Jeivs.

" Oj wej, muter, muter, Ix wil fun dir

nit h6rn,

Ix wolt s'em beser weln^ !"

Curik a mejdel wern

She would for

like to be a girl again, which she still is in years, while she rocks the cradle, her companions dance and sing Nist kejn bsule,^ nor a frou,

Aj

I'u I'u I'u

— hober strou

Andere mejdlex cuker Ix

dem

kinds windelex wasn

Andere mejdlex Ix wel

!

nasn, !

tancn, springn,

zingn

aj I'u I'u I'u

!

Pathetic are the recitals of suffering at the house of her hus-

band's parents, where she

is treated worse than a menial, where without the love of a mother to whom she is attached more than to any one else, and where she ends miserably her

she

is

young years

:

Majn toxter, wu bistu gewezn Bajm swiger un swer,^ Wos* brumt wi a ber, Muter du libe, du majne

?

!

Majn

Af

awu

toxterl,

oste dortn gezesn?

a bank,

Kejnmol

Majn

nit

geramt,

toxter,

Af der

awu

*

etc.

oste dortn geslofn

?

erd,

Kejnmol

nit gekert, etc.

Toxteruru,* wos ot

men

dir

gegebm cu kopn ?

A zekele hej, In harcn ^

*

I

should

Who,

G.

5

iz

wej, etc.

* Maiden, like, G. H. ^ Mother-in-law and father-in-law, G. Cleaned, G. « SI. dim of Tochter.

7

:

Leo Wiener. Toxterul'u, in wos ot In

1

men

dir gefirt?

kowanem wogn, ^

Mit ajzn baslogn, Toxterl, iber

wos

etc.

ot

men

dir gefirt?

Iber a brik,

Kejnmol

nit curik, etc.

Toxterul'u, mit wos ot

Mit a

men

dir gefirt?

ferd,

Jung in der erd, Muter du libe, du majne

!

Equally pathetic are the songs that sing of widowhood. This a far more common occurrence among Jews than among other

is

people and causes

much

greater inconveniences to the helpless

woman. It is caused either by the natural occurrences of death or by self-assumed exile to escape military service which is naturally not to the tastes of the Jew, as result of early marriages in

we

This

frequently by ruthless abandonment.

shall see later, or latter case is the

which the contracting parties are often the young man sees in

not considered as to their tastes

;

himself awakening an inclination for higher, Gentile, culture,

but he finds his path impeded by the ties of family and the gross interests of his consort. If he can, he gets a divorce from her,

but more frequently he leaves her without further ado, escaping His wife is made to Germany or America to pursue his studies. an "agune," a grass-widow, who according to the Mosaic law, may not marry again until his death has been duly certified to Oufii barg stejt a tajbele, Zi tut mit

ir

por brumen,^

Ix hob gehat a guten

Un ken

cu im

nit

fi-ajnd

kumen.

Bexen ^ treren tuen zix Fun majne ojgen rinen, Ix bin gebliben wi a spendele*

Ouf dem waser swimen. ^

Covered with

iron bands,

R.

^

Coo, G.

'

Brooks, G.

*

Chip, G.

8

1

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

Gor

ouf mir gefalen,

di welt iz

Zajt ix bin gebliben alejn,

Zic ix dox tog un naxt

Jomerlix

'

un wejn.

Tajxen treren tuen zix Rinen fun majne ojgen, Ix zol hoben fligelex, Wolt ix cu im geflojgen. Lejgt zix, kinderlex, ale arum mir, Ajer tate^ iz fun ajx fartriben .

Klejne jesomin'' zent

Un

ix bin ejn

ir

dox

almone* gebliben.

As sad as the widow's is the lot of the orphan. Fatherless and motherless, he seems to be in everybody's way, and no matter what he does, he is not appreciated by those he comes in There are many songs of the dying mother who contact with. finds her last moments embittered by the thought that her children will suffer privations and oppression from their stepmother and from other unkind people. There are also beggar's songs which tell that the singers were driven to beggary through loss of parents.

The

following verses touching in their sim-

plicity recite the sad plight of

an orphan

:

Waser soumt, waser soumt, Tut men ganc wajt hern,

Wen

es starbt der foter-muter,^

Gist der josem^ mit treren.

Der josem Der josem

gejt,

Lajt sacn,**

lojt

Az

tut

der josem

gejt,

gor umzist,' zogn,

der josem tejg gor

nist.

» Orphans, H. 1 Lamenting, ^ Father, P. G. Orphan, H. ' In vain, G. * Judge, G.

*

Widow, H.

^

Parents, G.

Leo Der josem

gejt,

Un

un

in car^

Lajt sacn,

Az

lajt

der josem

Wie7ier.

19

der josem gejt,

in pajn,

zogn, iz

siker^ fun wajn.

Ba majne frajnd, ba majne frajnd Wakst wajc un kerner, Ba mir josem, ba mir josem Wakst dox groz un derner. Gotun'u,' Gotun'u, Gotun'u du majn,

Wos

hostu mix

nit

besafn

Mit dem mazl* wi majne frajnd?

The

tender feelings of love, replete with sorrows and despair,

women men

are to busy too sing of But they are not entirely devoid of the poetic sentiment, and they join the weaker sex in rhythmic utterance, whenever they are stirred to it by unusual incidents that break in on their favored attitude of contemplation and peaceful occupations. Such are military service, the " pogroms " or mob violence and riots periodically instituted against the Jewish population, expatriation and the awful days of Atonement. On these occasions they rise to all the height of feeling that we have found in the other productions, and the expression of their attachment to their parents, wives and children is just as tender and pathetic. The Russian Jew is naturare left almost entirely to love, or less

;

romantic in their natures.

:

ally averse to the profession of war.

He

is

not at

all

a coward,

Russo-Turkish war, in which he has performed many a deed of bravery but what can be his as has been demonstrated in the

;

interest to fight for a country

which hardly recognizes him

as a

and in which he cannot rise above the lowest ranks in civil offices or in the army, although he is called to shed his blood on an equal footing with his Christian or Tartar fellowsoldier ? Before the reign of Nicholas, he was regarded beyond citizen

1

Worry, H.

^

Drunk, H.

^

SI.

dim. of Gott.

*

Good

luck,

H.

:

;

;

Poptilar Poetry of the Russian Jews.

20

the pale of the country's attention and below contempt as a

warrior

;

he was expected to pay to the support of the country,

but was not allowed to be

its

defender in times of war.

easily acquiesced in this state of

and learned

afifairs,

He

to regard

the payment of taxes as a necessary evil and the exemption from

Things

enlistment as a privilege.

all of

a sudden changed with

the ukase of Emperor Nicholas by which not only military service was imposed on all the Jews of the realm, but the most atrocious regime

was inaugurated

who might whole regiment of

to seize the persons

elude the vigilance of the authorities.

A

" xapers," or catchers, v/ere

busy searching out the whereaboiits of men of military age, tearing violently men from wives, fathers from infant children, minors from their parents. The terror was still increased by the order of "cantonment," by which young children of tender age were stolen from their mothers to be sent into distant provinces to be farmed out to peasants, where it was hoped they would forget their Hebrew origin and would be easily led into the folds of the Greek-Catholic Church. Let us hear a rhymed version of the calamity, composed at the time of its occurrence

Es

iz

arousgekumen an ukaz, a men

zol

nemen

idise

kinder

in xajil,^

Bin ix antlofn^ farcwancig majl

Bin

ix gelofn, gelofn,

Un

ix

Az

ix

Ob

ix

ob mir di weg farbroxn.^ ob di weg farbroxn, in a grub arajngetrofn ;

Bin ix gezesn draj misles,* Bin ix geworn azej wi a mes

Dernox ob

Ob

ix gezen,

ix gerexent, az®

^ ;

a stibele

stejt

dortn zajnen'

wajt on der nit

zajt,

kajn menc'n un

nit

kajn

lajt

cugegangn, ob a klap geton in tir Un ix o gebetn " Efent mir " Tut zi a blik af majn cure,** wi ix bin tejt. " Ci kent ir mir nit gebm a stikl brejt ? " Bin

ix

:

'

^

Army, H.

Corpse, H.

^

«

!

Ran away, G.

That, G.

'

^

Are, G.

Lost «

my

way, G.

Face, P.

*

Day and

night,

H.

:

——

'

—

Leo Wiener.

Hob

ogegesn,' ix o

ix

genumen

2i

bencn,"

Zajnen gekumen di xaper,'* wos xapm di mencn, Hobm zej mir gefirt ibern mark un ibern gas, " Fregt a junger man " Ci hostu a pas ? " " Ix hob geton dem pas cu farlirn Zog ix :

:

Hobm Hobm

;

zej zej

mix genumen rewidirn mix ousgeton* biskn^ hejln"

man

"

Cu

lajb,

'

hostu ajn wajb ? Hob ix zej geentferf. " Ix hob dox a wajb mit a klejn kind, Az ox un wej' cu majne bitere zind " Fun jener cajt on, cajt* Idn hobm gezen di like lewone,"

Fregt a

:

!

Fun jener

A me

nemt

Zegent Biter

Az

on hot men

iz

kinder

idise

zax^" der

idise

Der

cajt

guP

kajn guts un

nit

cum

kajn nexome/"

prijom,^^

mit der nesome."

unzer lebm wi di tejt, kinder darfn^' gejn in satnes'" geklejt,

Bejre,^' wos^** zict in zibeten himl, alejn farstejt.

Got, Got, wos^^ bist zax fun unz

Du

nit

bejres,'^"

dox wejl, az mir hobm nit kejn andere brejres:" Deriber kenen mir nit hitn kejn sejres,^^ Betn mir dir, Ribejneselejlem,^'^ du zolst unz mejxl zajn" unzereawejres^' Dajn strof tuen mir dox mekabl-bejahawe^® oncunemen, Ober in harcn tut unz zejer klemen, A me nemt a xosn" fun a kale'^® un cum prijom nemen, Betn mir dir, Ribejneselejlem, a'^^ du zolst unz fun goles"" arousnemen wejst

!

This rhymed chronicle

many

of the event lies at the foundation of

tary service, even at a time 1

with the aversion to miliwas divested of the horrors

later lyrical expressions dealing

After eating, G.

Up

"^

when

it

Say the benediction, French

Woe,

(?).

^

Catchers, SI.

*

common

Un-

formula of regret, G. i" ^^ Enlistment, 8 Since, G. » Eclipse of the moon, H. Bids R. Joy, H. " Soul, H. ^^ Must, G. i« Cloth woven of mixed, good-by, G. ^^ Body, H. woolen and flaxen threads, which is prohibited by the Mosaic law, //".; see Deut. i* Why, G. ^o Abandoned us, /I. XXII, II. '' Creator, H. i« Who, G. ^^ Religious Lord of the world, I/. "* Forobservances, I/. Choice, //. ^^ As our burden, //. ^^ Sins, H. " Bridegroom, H. ^^ Bride, H. give, H. dressed, G.

^

to,

G.

^

Bare, G.

'

a

i'^

^'^

'^^

^«

That, G.

''"

Captivity,

H.

:

:

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

22

Under the best conditions, the time spent Czar might have been more profitably used for the study of the Bible and commentaries to the same, is the conclusion of several of such poems of Nicholas' regime.

in the service of the

Ix gej aruf afn gas,

Derlangt

A

men

a ges'rej:^

hob

pas, a pas

A

geton

ix

pas, a pas!

farlirn,

Tut men mir

in prijom^ arajnfirn.

men Tut men

majn muters

Firt

arajn in erstn xejder,^ ojs*

Ox un Wos ix ob

wej'' iz

klejder.

mit mir ges'en,

mir

nit

arumgezen

!

men mir arajn in andern xejder, Tut men mir on soldatske^ klejder, Firt

Ox un Firt

mir

vvej iz

men mir

nit ges'en, etc.

arajn in s'ul" s'wern.

Gist zax fun mir tajxn trern.

Ox un

wej

iz

mir

nit gesen, etc.

dem kejsers hitl'," lernen dem kapitl',"

Ejder* cu trogn

Beser cu

Ox un

vvej iz

mit

nit ges'en, etc.

Ejder cu esn dem kejsers kase" Beser cu lernen Xumes^^ mit Rase." Ox un wej iz mir nit ges'en, etc.

Other soldier songs begin with a detailed farewell to parents, brothers, sisters and friends, after which follows a recital of the many privations to which the Jewish soldier will be subjected in all of these, the forced absence from wife or bride are regarded ;

as the greatest evil

Soldatn, soldatn zajnen mir" ale

Ejner

lozt^"*

:

a wajb, der anderer a kale.^^

Frajtik cu naxt^'

Sabes^* in der

fri

muzn mir wejnen un klogn, muzn mir ajn biks trogn.

' Enlistment R. ^ Room, H. * Doff, H. Woe, Synagogue, G. « Rather than, G. ^ Cap, G. ^° Chapter (of G. Pentateuch, H. '^ Commentary, the Talmud), G. " Buckwheat mush, R. '" ^^ Bride, H. '^ Leaves behind, G. " Friday evening, G. We are, G. H. 1

They suddenly «

Soldier's,

R.

cried out, G.

'=

'

^''

1*

Saturday, H.

—

:

Leo Wiener.

23

been empty for the Jews that they had been persecuted Cossacks, and are now exiled from the massacred by by Poland, Each massacre, each "pogrom" the central provinces of Russia. has given rise to several poems, in which God is invoked to

The cup

of bitterness has never

inhabit the present Russian

Empire

:

save them from their cruel tormentors, or in which there are given graphic descriptions of the atrocities perpetrated on the

unwary.

Like the soldier songs, they vary in form from the

chronicle in rhymes to the metrical lyric of

rhymed chronicle

oldest recorded tells of

of this

modern

kind

is

times.

The

the one that

the blood bath instituted in the Ukraine in the middle of

last century.

The

concocted by the

simple, unadorned recital of inhumanities

imagination of a Gonto, a Silo, a

fertile

more awful

Zelezniak, produces a

effect

Maxim

than any studied poem

could do sebasoniawi !^ Wi azoj^ kensti dos cizejen, Ukrajner Idn zol azojne^ grojse cores* gesejn ?

Owinu

Batejl vicolejnii di grojse

gzajre*"

fun di

Hejdamakn

!

Baiter Idn hot der rose' Silo giton trejnkn, brokn'^ un hakn.

Gzejres kosei azelixe/" wi iz giert" giworn in der welt? Gonteothojx^klejne kinder mejmis^^giwezn in nox demginemengelt.

Dam

ra-u/*' hot zix wi riskes^'' waser in di gasn gigosn, Drazner Idn hobn nox merer fun Baiter ginosn. ^"^

Hejdamakn

in file stet gimaxt, hobn di hobn zej biz einem imgibraxt. Idn Humaner un Hejsiner Wegavt^^ un hojx klejne hobn zej giStoxn un farbrent, Waber^' hobn zej gibinden un lebedik''° dem boux gitrent.

Hereg

raw^^

Zaani^ a grojser coren Zelezniak hot

^

The

first

words

iz

zej frier

in

ouf Zavatiner Idn ousgegosn giworn,

baroubt. dernox ale farlojrn.

each odd

line are

Hebrew, and consequently the pronunJudeo-German words the

ciation of these does not suffer the vocalic decay of true

;

Our purpose of introducing these will be explained in the second chapter. Father in Heaven. ^ How, G. ^ Such, G. * Sufferings, H. * Free us. ^ Evil ' Evildoer, H. « Cut to pieces, G. » Great fatalities. " Such, G. fate, H. " Heard, G. '^ Also, G. '^ Kill, H. 1* Much blood. ^^ Gutters, Russian. i« More. ^^ Great slaughter. ^^ Also. ^^ Women, G. ^^ Alive, G. " Insolence.

Lme

Popular Poetry of the Russian Jews.

24

^sel djlo77i,^ Her fun der welt, wi host di dos gikent cizejen, Rejgroder Idn hobn ejns dos andere gikejlet^ alejn. Sema caakoseJ7iu^ Got, unzer gisrej zolsti hern in farnemen, Saregroder dukes* Barnicki bens'* er hot zix far unz onginemen. Towou lefonexo kolroosoyji^ dos slexts fun di Hejdamakn zol kumen far dir, Her fun der welt,

Ribbjyioj

—

Tofsia,"^ in helfn zolsti ale,

wos hobn

zix far

unz

gistelt

!

no wonder, then, that the Jew takes a gloomy view of and that whenever he rises to any generalizations, be gives utterance to the blackest pessimism. One such poem depicts the vanities of human life, into which one is born as into a prison, from which one is freed at best at the biblical age of three score and ten, to leave all the gold and silver to the surviving orphans. There is but one consolation in life, and that is, that " tojre," learning, will do one as much good in the other world as it does in this It is

life

:

Az ox un Er

wej

^

cu

iz

mensn gesen,

un zix nit arumgezen. Bald wi der mens wert geborn, farsrajbt men em cum jejmamise^" Un wi er kumt af der welt, iz im erger wi in a tfise." Gold un zilber un perl tut jeder mens mit zix nit nemen ot opgelebt a welt^

Nor mit zajn Zibecig jor

Un

bisele tojre

gor

iz

ejb" er

^^

lebm,

a rose,'* tut

men

Farlejft zajn bisele

Un

And

muzn

far di

yet,

zix dortn un do nit semen.

dem mensns

iz

Xaswesolem '" az '^ der mens Tejtn-tanc

tut cr

''

firt

ejx

zax

im dos

jorn gor in bejze blut.

under

all

'*

iberlozn in gancn.

these distressing circimistances, the

finds pleasure in whole-hearted laughter.

^

Woe, G.

'

^

Butchered, 5/.

their evildoings

(?).

has lived a life time, G. i^ '* Evildoer, //. If, G.

His comical

Hear our cry.

*

come

He

Learning, H. G. 1' Orphans, H.

'•^

gebm.

ale tancn,

jesojmim

'Lord of the world. French (?). ^ May

nit

nit gut,

before thee. ^°

'''

*

Count, ''

Thou

Dying day, H.

God

forbid, //.

Jew

ditties ^

Bless,

wilt

save.

//;

" Prison, H.

'^ If,

G.

'''

Few,

Leo Wienei\

25

may

be divided into two classes, into those in which he laughs at his own weaknesses, and those in which he ridicules the weaknesses of the Khassidim, a fanatical sect, among whom the

Rabbis are worshipped as saints and are supposed to work mirathis sect is very numerous in Poland and South Russia, is cles very ignorant, and has opposed progress longer than the Misnagdim, to which sect the other German Jews in Russia belong. ;

As an example poverty is made

of the first class

light of

Ferd hob

may

serve a

poem

in

which

:

ix fun Pariz

:

Draj on kep, zwej on fis. Ladricem bam, ladricem bam.

A

rok ob

ix fun

gutn tux

:

Ix ob fun im kajn brekP dux.^

Ladricem bam, (bis). ^ ob ix fun gutn leder Ix ob fun zej kajn brekl feder, etc. Kinder ob ix a draj tuc * Ix ob fun zej kajn brekl nuc, etc.

Stiwl

:

:

Ject

ob

umgetraxt ^

ix zix

Un ob fun

a barg as geniaxt."

zej

Ladricem bam, ladricem bam.

The

sensuality, intemperance,

and profound ignorance and and the

superstition of the " rebe," or Rabbi, of the Khassidim,

credulity and lightheartedness of his followers form, perhaps,

the subject of the most

poems

Judeo-German language,

in the

as they also form the main subject of attack in the written literature of the last forty years. One example of this kind of poetry will suffice for our purpose

A x