The Ruth Rubin Legacy
Archive of Yiddish Folksongs

Tsu vos-zhe gibn dir, mayn libe kind?

Playlists:

Title

Tsu vos-zhe gibn dir, mayn libe kind?

Date

1955

Description

[Note from typewritten tape log in box:] These [marriage songs] are not songs of ceremonials or rites. These are songs which touch upon the marriage theme, either in jest, satirically, in dance or even in a children’s rhyme like [Tape 70] No. 3. Sometimes they bear the mark of the marriage entertainer (badkhn). [Handwritten note:] Like [Tape 70] No. 5.

The daughter sings she doesn’t want a shuster (shoemaker), or a balegole (driver), stoler (carpenter), koveling, - for various reasons (like, the stolier makht a bet [makes a bed] un git dem vay donershtik a get (on Thursday gives his wife a divorce) - but a dokter (Dr.) - yes. In 3/4 meter.

Compare song #14 on this tape: “Tsu vos-zhe gibn dir, mayn libe kind?” Very similar words, both in 3/4 meter. But #9 chorus is in major key, # 14 in minor key. #9 is humorous; #14 is much darker, and talks a lot about the various types of husbands beating their wives.

Rights

YIVO owns the compilation of content that is posted on this website, which consists of text, images, and/or audio, and video. However, YIVO does not necessarily own each component of the compilation. Some content is in the public domain and some content is protected by third party rights. It is the user's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in YIVO websites.

The materials on this web site may be used for personal, research and educational purposes only. Publication (including posting on the Internet and online exhibitions) or any other use without prior authorization is prohibited. Please visit https://www.yivo.org/Rights-Reproductions for more information about use of materials from this website.

YIVO has employed due diligence in seeking to identify copyright holders of the materials in this compilation. We invite any copyright owners who are not properly identified to contact us at yivomail@yivo.cjh.org.

Citation

“Tsu vos-zhe gibn dir, mayn libe kind?,” YIVO Online Exhibitions, accessed December 22, 2024, https://ruthrubin.yivo.org/items/show/2065.
Submit a transcription, translation or additional information on the song or the performer