"SIMCHAS-TORAH! skip and hop On your feet till down you drop! In your mouth a merry jest— And a burden in your breast." (@3Old Song@1.) So frisky and fit, At table we sit, We eat what we choose, We drink and are gay. Sing, brother Jews, Be merry today! Cup after cup— Drink it all up No need to fear. Lift up your voice, To-day we rejoice, Sing brothers dear. Alas, Jewish singing! And alas! Jewish gladness, What means it; O tell me, And whence is the sadness That weighs on my heart when I hear. I hang down my head Like a child that is chidden. And oft, ere I know it, Uncalled for, unbidden, Falls bitter and burning, A tear! Not always with sorrow Our hopes are requited; And often the sunshine Has brightened our way. We once were a nation Both strong and united, And yet, O my brothers, And yet, to this day We keep not one feast day But still doth remind us Of swords that lie shivered And broken behind us. And old tattered banners, Now useless and furled, Of all our dead heroes, Our great ones who perish, The altars forgotten, The ruins uncherished. And scattered abroad o'er the world No song but contains but Two words of rejoicing, In which we discern not The jesting below, An echo of laughter, Of false bitter laughter, A cry half-despairing Of shame and of woe! ... O great and happy feast-day, Simchas-Torah! High above your head thy bright star flashes To win such a feast-day, one such feast-day, Ten we spend fasting in sackcloth and ashes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: GEORGE GRAY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SUSSEX DRINKING SONG by HILAIRE BELLOC DINNER IN A QUICK LUNCH ROOM by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET CONTRA MORTEM: THE THAW by HAYDEN CARRUTH DEDICATION IN THESE DAY by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE LOON ON FORRESTER'S POND by HAYDEN CARRUTH FOR THE INVESTITURE by CECIL DAY LEWIS |