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Writer's pictureAbby Hoberman

An Evening of Roses


Erev Shel Shoshanim - Yosef Hadar and Moshe Dor

ערב של שושנים – יושף הדר ומושה דור

1957


The music for Erev Shel Shoshanim is by Yosef Hadar and the lyrics are by Moshe Dor. The song was first recorded in 1957 by singer Yafa Yarkoni, and a year later by the duo HaDuda'im. Their version became a smash hit in Israel. The Dudaim toured the world extensively in the '60s, and "Erev shel Shoshanim" became one of their international signature songs. During the '60s and '70s the song was recorded by various international singers, including Harry Belafonte, Olivera Katarina, Nana Mouskouri, Daliah Lavi, Martin Simpson and Miriam Makeba. In 1974, Yugoslav progressive rock band Dah recorded their hit song "Šošana", which featured melody based on "Erev Shel Shoshanim". In 1975, after moving to Belgium and changing the name to Land, the band recorded an English-language version of "Šošana" (entitled "Shoshana"), which became an international hit and made the song's melody a popular football chant.


Erev Shel Shoshanim is a beautiful song about the beauties of life and the world. By mentioning myrrh, perfumes, and incense, the song references the Torah and the land of Israel. The song also references a dove, which alludes to the story of Noah and is a reference to peace in the world. Now, Erev Shel Shoshanim is a popular Israeli folk song around Jewish communities, and is a song of love and peace to aspire to live by.


Hebrew:

ערב של שושנים נצא נא אל הבוסתן מור בשמים ולבונה .לרגלך מפתן

לילה יורד לאט ורוח שושן נושבה הבה אלחש לך שיר בלאט .זמר של אהבה

שחר הומה יונה ראשך מלא טללים פיך אל הבוקר, שושנה .אקטפנו לי


Transliteration: Erev shel shoshanim Nitzeh na el habustan Mor besamim ulevona Leraglech miftan.

Layla yored le'at Veru'ach shoshan noshvah Havah elchash lach shir balat Zemer shel ahava

Shachar homa yonah Roshech maleh t'lalim Pich el haboker shoshana Ektefenu li.


Translation:

Evening of roses Let's go out to the grove Myrrh, perfumes, and incense Are a threshold at your feet.

The night falls slowly A breeze of roses blows Let me whisper a song to you quietly A song of love.

At dawn, a dove is cooing Your hair is filled with dew Your lips to the morning are like a rose I'll pick it for myself.

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