Emek (Shir Ha-Emek), A Capella, Op. 40 (1935)

Note: This version of Emek is for an A Capella Choir. There are also a versions for Voice and Piano, Voice and Orchestra and Emek, Symphonic Poem, Opus 45 based on this song.

Performed by:
Ronen Borshevsky (Conductor)
The Oratorio Choir
Choir: Mixed Choir

Lyrics: Rafael Eliaz

Duration: 3:50 minutes

Publisher: Mifalei Tarbut by Modan Publishing House

Synopsis:
Shir Ha-Emek is the first song Marc Lavry composed in Israel to the lyrics of Rafael Eliaz. The poem that describes the landscape of the Emek (Jezreel Valley), the pioneers plowing the fields by day and dancing the Hora by night, inspired Lavry to write the song. Within days the song was sung all over Israel.

Fun fact:

Lavry, who had not yet seen the Jezreel Valley, decided to take a bus trip to see the sights. As was customary at that time, bus riders joined in a loud sing-along. To Lavry’s delight they sang his new song, but to his dismay, the end of the first phrase was sung wrong.
The same thing happened on the way back with another group of people. This time Lavry approached the sing-along leader and pointed out the mistake. The leader gave Lavry a not-so-gentle pat on the back and said: “comm’on, the composer is a friend of mine and I know the right tune.”

Being a newcomer to Israel, Lavry realized that his version was not the natural melodic progression to the Israeli ear. He decided to not reveal his true identify to the sing-along leader and just change his score.

Lyrics
(transliterated from Hebrew to English)

Plada kchula hem hashamayim,
Kivshan adom hu levavi.
Tisa nafshi chedvat ena’yim
Keset gufi et mach’ovi.

Refrain:
          Hayad Choreshet,
          Hadam Go’esh,
          Tziv’ei hakeshet alu ba’esh.

          Or, or, or, or -
          Kol ha’emek hu shikor;
          Hagilbo’a
          Mitnashek im hatavor.

          Hayad Choreset,
          Halev yiktzor,
          Magal hakeshet
          Mi ya’atzor.

Shzufat yagon ka’adama at,
Ach al pana’yich or yahel,
Or hatochelet hadoma’at
El hasufa shetishtolel.

Refrain:
          Hayad Choreshet…

Ki basufa na’ufa shneinu
Kishtei ruchot zo neged zo,
Vecho dvukot kizro’oteinu
Od shum zro’ot lo ne’echzu.

Refrain:
          Hayad Choreshet…