"" (Yiddish: links=no|lit=The Oath|די שבֿועה; also known as "") was written by S. Ansky (pseudonym of Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport), in 1902. This Yiddish song became the anthem of the socialist General Jewish Labour Bund in the early 1900s.[1] [2] [3] The source of its melody is unknown.[4] Bundists sing this song virtually every time they meet.[5] For example, it was sung at the 100th anniversary (1998) of the General Jewish Labour Bund in Paris, Marek Edelman's funeral, and the 50th anniversary (2009) reunion of Camp Hemshekh. The song exhorts Jews to unite, and to commit themselves body and soul to the defeat of the Russian Tsar and of capitalism.[4]
| Yiddish lyrics | Latin transliteration | IPA transcription | English translation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First verse | ||||
| Brider un shvester fun arbet un noyt Ale vos zaynen tsezeyt un tseshpreyt, Tsuzamen, tsuzamen, di fon iz greyt, Zi flatert fun tsorn, fun blut iz zi royt! A shvue, a shvue, af lebn un toyt. | Brothers and sisters in toil and struggle All who are dispersed far and wide Come together, the flag is ready It waves in anger, it is red with blood! Swear an oath of life and death | |||
| Second verse | ||||
| Himl un erd veln undz oyshern Eydes vet zayn di likhtike shtern A shvue fun blut un a shvue fun trern, Mir shvern, mir shvern, mir shvern! | Heaven and earth will hear us, The light stars will bear witness. An oath of blood, an oath of tears, We swear, we swear, we swear! | |||
| Third verse | ||||
| Mir shvern a trayhayt on grenetsn tsum bund. Nor er ken bafrayen di shklafn atsind. Di fon, di royte, iz hoykh un breyt. Zi flatert fun tsorn, fun blut iz zi royt! A shvue, a shvue, af lebn un toyt. | We swear an endless loyalty to the Bund. Only it can free the slaves now. The red flag is high and wide. It waves in anger, it is red with blood! Swear an oath of life and death | |||
