yv/poetry/gebirtig/2

		THE MUSEUM OF FAMILY HISTORY presents its
		YIDDISH VINKL POETRY CORNER

The Translations of Leo Dashefsky

MORDECHAI GEBIRTIG

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You can read English translation of poems written by some of the more popular and well-known Yiddish writers within this exhibition, courtesy of the late Leo Dashefsky z"l who produced each one of the translations that are being made available to you here.

The poems listed are but a small number of the total of poems translated by Leo Dashefsky; perhaps more will be made available for your perusal in the future.

Currently, you may read a short biography of each of the poets, as well as one or more of their translations. The original Yiddish is not included here, though if anyone possesses a copy of a particular poem in Yiddish, it may be sent to the Museum via e-mail so that it may be added alongside the English translation. If you have the original Yiddish-language version, please contact the Museum at postmaster@museumoffamilyhistory.com.

Please read the lovely dedication of Leo's daughter Batya which is being presented to you as a PowerPoint presentation.

IT BURNS

(S'brent)

by Mordechai Gebirtig

It burns, brethren, it burns;

Oh, our poor and wretched village burns.

Vicious winds of wrath

Wreck everything along their path

And fanning vigorously the flames

Everything around burns;

And you tarry looking unconcerned

As if there's nothing else to do.

And you tarry looking unconcerned

Our village burns it's true.

It burns, brethren, it burns;

Oh, our poor and wretched village burns,

Fire tongues have the village doomed.

It is entirely consumed --

And the vicious winds are humming

The entire village burns.

It burns, brethren, it burns!

The time, God forbid, may come

For all and not for some,

Our village will go up in flames

Only empty black walls will remain.

It burns, brethren, it burns!

Aid depends on you alone,

If your village you desire,

Take the gear and snuff the fire

With your blood snuff the fire.

Prove it that you won.

Do not tarry, brothers, so unconcerned

As if nothing here ever turns

Do not tarry, snuff the fire

Our village burns!