Hanukkah Song and lyrics

Hanukkah Songs
Hanukkah has so many wonderful aspects, its no wonder why it is most people’s favorite holiday. With all the delicious Hanukkah foods, the exchanging of Hanukkah gifts, and all the fun Hanukkah parties, it’s a hard holiday to beat. To add to that list is the Hanukkah music and Hanukkah Gelt. One of the very best things about Hanukkah are the songs. We sing and dance to songs about dreidels, the Maccabees, and the Hanukkah food we eat. “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel” is one of the most popular Hanukkah songs. It is catchy and is sung by children as well as adults! This song explains the game of dreidel the children play (and adults too!) The lyrics for this song are memorable and repetitive.
“Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel” lyrics:

I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it’s dry and ready

Oh dreidel I shall play!


chorus:

Oh – dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it’s dry and ready

Oh dreidel I shall play!


It has a lovely body

With legs so short and thin

And when my dreidel’s tired
It drops and then I win!


chorus

My dreidel’s always playful

It loves to dance and spin

Happy game of dreidel

Come play now, lets begin!


chorus
“Maoz Tzur” is another popular Hanukkah song that is traditionally sung after reciting the Hanukkah blessings over the menorah. It is also known as “Rock of Ages” and has ancient roots. This song reflects on the historical hardship the Jewish people endured in biblical times. It bridges between the suffering and the promise for redemption.

“Ma’oz tzur” transliterated lyrics:
Ma’oz tsur yeshu’ati
lecha na’eh leshabeakh.
Tikon beit tefilati
vesham todah nezaveakh.
Le’et tachin matbeakh
mitsar hamnabeakh,
‘az ‘egmor beshir mizmor
khanukat hamizbeakh.
Another popular Hanukkah children’s song is “Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.” It is also a popular children’s song and is catchy enough to be remembered all year long.
Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah
Come light the Menorah
Let’s have a party
We’ll all dance the Horah
Gather ‘round the table
We’ll give you a treat
Sevivon to play with
And latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning bright
One for each night
We’ll spread a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
Another song that is sung customarily after the lighting of the candles is “Hanerot Halalu”. This also has ancient roots and recalls all of the Hanukkah miracles. There are many different melodies to this song and is often sung slowly.

Ha-nei-rot ha-lo-lu o-nu mad-li-kin
Al ha-te-shu-ot ve-al ha-ni-sim ve-al ha-nif-la-ot,
She-see-ta la-avoi-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim biz-man ha-zeh,
Al ye-dei ko-ha-ne-cha ha-ke-do-shim,
Ve-chol she-mo-nat ye-mei cha-nu-kah ha-nei-rot ha-la-lu ko-desh hem,
Ve-ein la-nu re-shut le-hish-ta-meish ba-hen,
E-lo lir-o-tan bil-vad, ke-dei le-ho-dot u-le-ha-leil le-shim-cha ha-ga-dol Al ni-se-cha ve-al nif-le-o-te-cha ve-al ye-shu-o-te-cha.
These songs never get old! Sing them at your Hanukkah party , while lighting the candles, or just anytime you feel like it!

 

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