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Bar Kochva – words by Levin Kipnis, music by Mordechai Zeira
This song tells one of the many legends about the strength of Bar
Kochva. In this case the story is that he was captured, thrown into a
Roman dungeon, and escaped on a lion that he had tamed, who flew
him back from Rome to Israel. I do a puppet show with this song,
or with older children let them act it out. It is a favorite of all ages,
and sparks great conversations with older students about the nature
of legends!

lyrics

Tall and young with blazing eyes, a hero everyone loved.
He called the people ’round, he went to the battle ground,
He fought for freedom from the Romans our hero did astound!
Astound! Astound!

But then one day our friend was caught, And put into a cage.
So sad it was for Israel, an awful terrible stage.
And for an extra shock, behind that thick padlock
A lion waited for Bar Kochva, he saw him and began to stalk,
To stalk! To stalk!

But do not fear for Bar Kochva, quick as the strongest force.
He ran and jumped onto that lion, and rode him like a horse.
Over sea and land, with liberty’s flag in hand,
All the people clapped for him, Bar Kochva so grand,
So grand! So grand!

Ish haya baYisrael, Bar Kochva shemo.
Ish Tza’ir gavo kumah, einei zohar lo.
Hu haya gibor, hu karah l’dror,
Kol ha’am ahav otto, zeh haya gibor, gibor, gibor.

Yom echad karah mikreh, ha mikreh atzuv.
Bar Kochva nafal bashvi, vihusam bakluv,
Mah norah kluv zeh, bo sh’ag arieh,
Ach ra’ah et Bar Kochva, bitnapel ha’arieh, arieh, arieh.

Ach de’u na Bar Kochva, mah gibor v’az.
Atz kafatz al ha’arieh, v’kal kanesher tas.
Al har v’gai hu shat, v’degel dror bayad,
Kol ha’am macha lo kaf, Bar Kochva heidad, heidad, heidad!

credits

from Shanah Tovah, Shanah M'tukah, released May 27, 2021

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Joanie Calem image

Joanie Calem Columbus, Ohio

Joanie Calem is a folk musician, singer/song-writer, storyteller and inclusion advocate for audiences of all ages. Joanie writes songs and sings about life's different twists and turns, angles and perspectives, telling stories through her songs of the ups and downs of reality. She performs regularly at festivals, retirement homes, shelters, libraries and schools throughout the US and abroad. ... more

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