Hanukkah music
Hanukkah music contains several songs associated with the festival of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah blessings
There are three Hanukkah blessings that are sung for lighting the candles of the menorah. The third blessing is only sung on the first night. After the two or three blessings are sung, Hanerot Halalu is chanted. The following blessings are transliterated according to proper Modern Hebrew.| English | Hebrew | Transliteration |
| Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. | Barukh Atta Ado-nai Elo-heinu melekh ha'olam, asher kiddeshanu be-mitzvotav, Ve-tzee-vanu le-had-leek ner shel ḥanukka. | |
| Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who performed wondrous miracles for our ancestors, in those days, at this moment. | Barukh Atta Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha'olam, she'asah nissim la'avotenu bayamim hahem baz'man hazeh. | |
| Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment. | baruch Atta adonai eloheinu melekh ha'olam sheheḥehyanu vekiyy'manu vehiggi'anu lazman hazeh. |
Ma'oz Tzur
"Ma'oz Tzur", also a widely known English version as "Rock of Ages", is a Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut. It is written in Hebrew, and is usually sung on the holiday of Hanukkah, after lighting the festival lights. Its six stanzas correspond to five events of Jewish history and a hope for the future. Of its six stanzas, often only the first stanza is sung, as this is what directly pertains to Hanukkah. "Ma'oz Tzur" was written sometime in the 13th century.Judas Maccabaeus
Judas Maccabaeus is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. During Hanukkah, the melody for "See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes" is used by Spanish and Portuguese Jewish communities for the hymn En Kelohenu.Mrs. Maccabeus
To the tune of "Oh Hanukkah." By Ben Aronin of Congregation Anshe Emet in Chicago.Light One Candle
Oh Chanukah
"Oh Chanukah" is an English version of the Yiddish "Oy Chanukah". The English words, while not a translation, are roughly based on the Yiddish. "Oy Chanukah" is a traditional Yiddish Chanukah song and the English version, along with "I Have a Little Dreidel," is one of the most recognized English Chanukah songs. Both songs are playful with upbeat tempo and are sung by children. The lyrics are about dancing the horah, eating latkes, playing dreidel, lighting the candles and singing happy songs.I Have a Little Dreidel
"I Have a Little Dreidel" is a very famous song in the English speaking world for Hanukkah, which also has a Yiddish version. The Yiddish version is Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl,. The English version of the song is well associated with the festival of Hanukkah, and is known by many Jews and non-Jews alike. The lyrics of the song are simple and about making a dreidel and playing with it. The lyrics are as follows:I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready
O dreidel I shall play.
O dreidel dreidel dreidel
I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready,
O dreidel I shall play.
Sevivon
A popular Hebrew Hanukkah song, "Sevivon" or "S'vivon" is Hebrew for "dreidel", where dreidel is the Yiddish word for a spinning top. This song, "Sevivon," is very popular in Israel and by others familiar with the Hebrew language. The English below is a literal translation, not an English version.Al Hanisim
"Al Hanisim" is a popular Hebrew song for Hanukkah taken from liturgy , and is also an Israeli folk dance. The song is about thanking God for saving the Jewish people. The most popular tune, however, is relatively recent, having been composed by Dov Frimer in 1975.Mi Y'malel
"Mi Y'malel" is a very well known Hebrew Hanukkah song. The opening line, which literally means "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel," is a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2, which reads "Who can retell the mighty feats of God." Below is a singable version of this song called "Who Can Retell," with words based on the Hebrew, as well as a literal translation. The song can also be sung in a round or canon.| Hebrew | Transliteration from Hebrew | English | English | English |
מי ימלל גבורות ישראל אותן מי ימנה הן בכל דור יקום הגיבור גואל העם שמע בימים ההם בזמן הזה מכבי מושיע ופודה ובימינו כל עם ישראל יתאחד, יקום ויגאל | Mi yimalel gvurot Yisrael, Otan mi yimne? Hen be'chol dor yakum ha'gibor Goel ha'am! Shma! Ba'yamim ha'hem ba'zman ha'ze Maccabi moshia u'fode U'v'yameinu kol am Yisrael Yitached yakum ve'yigael! | Who can retell the things that befell us, Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Came to our aid. Hark! In this time of year in days of yore Maccabees the Temple did restore And tonight our people as we dream Will arise, unite, and be redeemed. | Who can retell the things that befell us, Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Came to our aid. Hark! In days of yore in Israel's ancient land Brave Maccabeus led his faithful band But now all Israel must as one arise Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice. | Who can tell of the heroic deeds of Israel? Who can count them? Yes in every generation a hero arises To save the people. Listen! In those days at this time The Maccabee saved and redeemed But in our days the whole people Israel Will unite, arise, and save. |
Ner Li
Literally translated as "I have a candle," "Ner Li" is a simple Hebrew Hanukkah song that is popular in Israel. The words are by L. Kipnis and the music, by D. Samburski.The transliteration of the Hebrew is as follows:
Ner li, ner li, ner li daqiq,
Bakhanukah neri 'adliq.
Bakhanukah neri ya'ir
Bakhanukah shirim 'ashir.
The literal translation is:
I have a candle, I have a small thin candle
On Hanukkah, my candle I will light.
On Hanukkah my candle will glow
On Hanukkah I will sing songs.
Chanukah Chanukah
Another traditional Chanukah folk song with origins in Israel is Chanukah, ChanukahWords by Levin Kipnis
Transliterated and translated by Gila Ansell Brauner of Jerusalem, Israel
Chanukah, Chanukah,
Chag yafeh kol kach
Or chaviv, misaviv,
Gil leyeled rach.
Chanukah, Chanukah,
Sevivon sov sov
Sov sov sov, sov sov sov,
Mah na'im vatov.
CHANUKAH, CHANUKAH
Chanukah, Chanukah,
What a lovely holiday!
Cheerful lights around us shine,
Children have fun and play.
Chanukah, Chanukah,
The dreidel spins and spins.
Spin your top until it stops,
Have a good time, see who wins!
חנוכה חנוכה
עממי
מילים: לוין קיפניס
לחן: עממי
חנוכה, חנוכה,
חג יפה כל כך
אור חביב מסביב,
גיל לילד רך.
חנוכה, חנוכה,
סביבון סוב סוב
סוב נא סוב, סוב נא סוב
מה נעים מה טוב.