Yidl Mitn Fidl + Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn

"Yidl Mitn Fidl" by Itzik Manger and Abe Ellstein
"Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn" by Sholom Secunda and Jacob Jacobs

Anna Sobel and Brian Bender, vocal soloists

Elaine Broad Ginsberg, piano
Anna Sobel, vocals, cajon
Brian Bender, vocals, trombone, melodica

Recorded on 5/19/24 at the Yiddish Book Center (Amherst, MA) as part of Mak'hela's "Jewish Broadway!" concert.
http://www.makhela.org

Audio and video recording by Brian Bender

Yidl Mitn Fidl: The song, “Yidl Mitn Fidl” comes from a 1936 Yiddish film meaning
Yidl (“Little Jew”) with his fiddle. It was composed by Itzik Manger and Abe Ellstein,
who was a band leader and recording artist of the Yiddish Theater. Ellstein was
considered one of the most important Yiddish composers of his time. The story is about a
traveling band, but because of the dangers, Arye’s daughter disguises herself as his son
Yidl.

Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn: Jacob Jacobs was a Yiddish Theater Director, lyricist and
songwriter and comic. Jacobs collaborated with Sholom Secunda, who wrote the melody
for our next song, Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn. The show it was written for never became
successful, but this song became a #1 hit thanks to the Andrews’ Sisters rendition. The
song title means, “to me you are beautiful.” The original version is a dialogue between
two lovers. This might be the world’s best known Yiddish Theater song ever!

Abe Ellstein (1907 - 1963) was a composer, bandleader, and recording artist of the
Yiddish Theatre. He was considered one of the most important composers of that time.
He was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which was the place to which most
Eastern European Jewish families immigrated. He was the conductor of the boys’ choir
in the Broadway production of “Richard III” at only 13 years old. He finished his studies
at Juilliard, majoring in both music composition and conducting, and wrote the music to
the 1936 hit Yiddish film, “Yidl mitn Fidl.”

Sholom Secunda (1894 - 1974) was a composer from a Ukrainian Jewish family. He was
a child cantor in New York City until his voice changed, upon which time he became
active in comedy theater. He wrote the melody for “Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn” and sold the
rights to his song for a mere $30 because the show had been a complete flop; later the
song went on to gross millions after the Andrews Sisters recorded it. Eventually, the
copyright reverted back to Secunda and Jacobs so they could partake in the royalties.

Jacob Jacobs (1890 - 1977) was a Yiddish theater vaudeville director, producer, lyricist,
songwriter, and comic. Born in Romania, he immigrated to the United States in 1904.
From 1926 to 1930, he was Co-Director of the National Theater and later the Prospect
Theater in the Bronx. He became involved in Yiddish comedy, collaborating with
composer Sholom Secunda on the show called “I Would if I Could.” Although the show
was a flop, it produced the number one hit “Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn.”

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Translation of Yiddish Texts

Yidl Mitn Fidl: Music by Abe Ellstein • Lyrics by Itzik Manger

Across fields we go, atop a wagon of hay
With sun and wind and rain, ride two musicians.
A novelty, oh a novelty, tell me who are they?
Yidl with his fiddle, Aryeh with his bass,
This existence is a song, why should I be upset?
Yidl, fidl, shmidl - Hey - This life is a pure fun.
A goat stands in the meadow and bleats a sad "meh!"
Hey you goat, you foolish one, being sad is "feh"!
He nods his little beard, "Truly, truly 'feh'!"
A bird flies by, "Good morning, Good morning a good year"
The sadness and the worries should go to the devil.
Laughing in the wind's face, Yidl travels on!

Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn: Lyrics by Jacob Jacobs • Music by Sholom Secunda

I will say to you so that you would hear, "I love you."
When you speak with your eyes, I would fly with you wherever you wish -
I do not care where."
When you have a bit of sense, and when you show your child-like little smile
When you are “wild as an Indian,” even if you were a Galitzyaner,
I say: It doesn't bother me.
To me, you are lovely, to me, you are charming.
To me, you are the only one in the world.
To me, you are lovely, to me, you are charming,
To me, you are more precious than money.
Many pretty girls wanted me for a husband
But among them all I chose only you.

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We are grateful to the following organizations for their support:
Mass Cultural Council
Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
Harold Grinspoon Foundation

Contributions will be gratefully welcomed.
Please visit the website to make a contribution:
https://www.makhela.org/donate

Or mail to:
Mak’hela, Inc.
P.O. Box 2153
Amherst, MA, 01004