Why this tune?
This week’s song was written 50 years ago, in the midst of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, by the great Israeli poet and songwriter Naomi Shemer. The lyrics started as a Hebrew version of the Beatles’ hit “Let It Be,” but Shemer was persuaded to write her own original melody for her lyrics. The result stands on its own as a perennial classic, a song of hope and humanity in dark times.
The Hebrew title and lyrics aren’t an exact translation of the English original. According to Paul McCartney, his song delivers a message of reassurance, that things will be OK if we just “Let It Be.” Shemer’s title translates more accurately as “May It Be” and the lyrics are a more active plea for things to change for the better, with the repeating refrain “Kol she-nevakesh, lu yehi” / All that we will wish for, may it be.”
The song opens with images of hope, “There is still a white sail on the horizon / Against a black, dark cloud” and ends with prayers for a better future, “Give peace and also give strength / To all those we love / All that we wish for / May it be”
I reharmonized the song slightly in my version, which you can hear on my YouTube page.
Tunes On Tuesday Reel
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Full track
Chava Alberstein sings
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 