Itsy Bitsy Spider and other Liturgucal Themes

[Sandra Layman <sandl...>]

Rich Wolpoe wrote:

        < Smetana's Die Moldau was the source for the Hatikvo.  However,
the 
opening theme melody actually predates Smetana.>


There is certainly a resemblance to the Smetana theme, except in the second
phrase. However, my impression is that the Romanian folksong "Carul cu boi"
(The Oxcart) may be closer to being the source (if one can speak of "the"
source).  The melody is that of Hatikvah.

For whatever it's worth...

Sandra Layman
sandl (at) compuserve(dot)com