Shimru Shabtotai

Shimru shab'totai l'ma'an tin'ku usvatem
Miziv birchotai, el ham'nuchah, ki vatem.
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

L'amel kir'u d'ror, v'natati et birchati
Ishah el achotah litzror l'galot aal yom simchati. Bigdei sheish eem shanai, v'hitbon'nu miz'keinai, Shabbat haYom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Maharu et hamaneh, la'asot et d'var Ester, V'chishvu im hakonah, l'shalem achol v'hoter. Bitchu vi emunai, ushtu yein mishmanai, Shabbat Hayom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Hineh yom g'ulah, yom Shabbat eem tishmoru, Vi'h'yi'tem li s'gulah, linu v'a'har ta'avoru.
V'az Tihyu l'fanai utmal'u tz'funai,
Shabbat Hayom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chazeik kiryati, El Elohim Elyon,
V'hashev et n'vati b'simcha uv'higayon. Y'shor'ru sham r'nanai l'viyai v'chohanai, Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Keep ye my Sabbath rest,
With rich draughts she feeds you;
From her soft sweet-flowing breast
To repose she leads you.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Labour's task is ended;
See, I send you my benison [note- "benison" means blessing].
As brides twain, soft blended,
Singing sweetly in unison,
So my counsels sage attract your ear,
Scarlet silks shall be yours to wear,
Sabbath's holiday is here.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Esther's feast prepare ye,
To the mart haste, good cheer provide
Freely, nor forbear ye
Aught, to welcome this Sabbath-tide.
He who sells will fill your purse anew;
Come, buy sweetest wines of ruby hue,
Trust His promise, sure, to you.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Redemption swift is speeding,
Then Mine own ye once mone shall be.
Hear My Sabbath pleading:
'Rest one night, ere ye pass, with me'
In My Presence shall your years be blessed,
Life's hid joys all to you confessed,
For life's secret is the Sabbath rest.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

My bulwarks shattered,
Lord of Glory, rebuild again;
My exiles scattered
Lead in joy to their old domain.
Priests and Levites there restored shall sing
Songs which exiled hearts at last shall bring,
A joyous welcome to their King.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

A lesser known, yet still beautiful Shabbat afternoon zemer.

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.