Hava Nagila dance version

Hava Nagila is a Hebrew folk song, the title meaning "Let us rejoice." It is a song of celebration, especially popular amongst irreligious Jewish and Roma communities. In popular culture, it is used as a metonym for Judaism, and is a staple of band performers at Jewish festivals.
"Hava Nagila," meaning "Let Us Rejoice," is perhaps the best known Jewish folk song and is a staple for bands playing at Jewish festivals. The melody was taken from a Ukrainian folk song. The lyrics were probably written by Abraham Zvi Idelsohn in 1918 to celebrate the British victory in Palestine during World War I as well as the Balfour Declaration of 1917.

Transliteration Hebrew Text English Translation
Hava nagila הבה נגילה Let's rejoice
Hava nagila הבה נגילה Let's rejoice
Hava nagila venis'mecha הבה נגילה ונשמחה Rejoice and be happy
(repeat stanza once)
Hava neranenah הבה נרננה Let's sing
Hava neranenah הבה נרננה Let's sing
Hava neranenah venis'mecha הבה נרננה ונשמחה Sing and be happy
(repeat stanza once)
Uru, uru achim! !עורו, עורו אחים Awake, awake, brothers!
Uru achim b'lev sameach עורו אחים בלב שמח With a happy heart
(repeat line three times)
Uru achim, uru achim! !עורו אחים, עורו אחים Awake, brothers, awake, brothers!
B'lev sameach בלב שמח With a happy heart



Download MP3