Re: information about the term feygele

[linda <labo4...>]

on 12/25/03 12:21 PM, Robert A. Rothstein at rar (at) slavic(dot)umass(dot)edu 
wrote:

Batya wrote: 
1) What is the source of the song "Zing, feygele, zing"?
It's a Yiddish version (apparently by Max Kletter) of the Russian song "Poi,
lastochka, poi" (Sing, Swallow, Sing), first published in Moscow in 1905
with words by K. Linskii and music by Sadovskii.
3) I've heard that "goldene pave" symbolizes Jewish folklore. Is this true,
and if so, why? What's the source?
Short answer (from Chane Mlotek in her _Mir trogn a gezang_, p. 106): "The
golden peacock became the poetic symbol of the Yiddish folk song, carrying
messages and greetings from loved ones.  The theme was adopted by such
modern Yiddish writers as M. L. Halpern, Itsik Manger and others."  (The
others include Anna Margolin, whose text was recorded, e.g., by Chava
Alberstein and The Klezmatics.)  The comments are in connection with a folk
song called "Di goldene pave," which is about a young bride sending a
message to her parents about being mistreated by her new in-laws.  The song
was first published in Ginzburg and Marek's 1901 collection, _Evreiskie
narodnye pesni v Rossii_ (Jewish Folksongs in Russia).  Despite what you may
read on various websites, the collection was not called _Di goldene pave_.

Bob Rothstein


I remember my grandmother singing  "Poi, lastochka, poi"  in the 1940's.
She also sang the  following words to the same melody:

Oi vill ich a "boy"
Oi vill ich a "boy"
Er ken zayn a griner
Abi a fardiner
Oi vill ich a "boy"

Thanks for reminding me. I brings back great memories.

Linda