Vortsl un Fligl (Root and Wing) 

Vortsl Un Fligl (Root And Wing)
Music and lyrics by Linda Gritz
Many thanks for input from Daniel Kahn's Lider-Shmideray workshop
KlezKanada, August 2019
Performed by the chamber ensemble of A Besere Velt Yiddish Chorus of Boston Workers Circle
Derek David, music director
Choral arrangement by Derek David
Eliot Church, Newton, Massachusetts, USA
May 4, 2024
Yiddish Lyrics
Vortsl un fligl, (3x)
Beyde, baglaykh,
Vortsl un fligl, (3x)
Barg un taykh.
On a vortsl, nishto keyn veg,
On a fligl, umtsilike teg.
Vortsl un fligl…
Amol hot a khokhem geshribn,
Di verter zaynen undz geblibn:
“Nisht nor a mentsh,
Nor oykh a folk
Darf hobn a zikorn...
On zikorn, [volt a] folk
Nisht kliger, nisht beser [gevorn]."
Vortsl un fligl…
Mit a vortsl, nokh tifer farshteyn,
Mit a fligl, nokh vayter zen.
Vortsl un fligl...
English Translation
Root and wing,
Both, together,
Root and wing,
Mountain and stream.
Without a root, there is no way.
Without a wing, aimless days.
Root and wing…
A sage* once wrote,
And his words have stayed with us:
“Not just a person,
But a people
Must have a memory…..
Without memory, a people [could]
Not grow wiser or better.”
Root and wing…
With a root, deeper understanding,
With a wing, greater vision.
Root and wing…
*I.L. Peretz
(3x) וואָרצל און פֿליגל
ביידע באַגלײַך
(3x) וואָרצל און פֿליגל
באַרג און טײַך
אָן אַ וואָרצל נישטאָ קיין וועג
אָן אַ פֿליגל אומציליקע טעג
....וואָרצל און פֿליגל
אַמאָל האָט אַ חכם געשריבן
די ווערטער זײַנען אונדז געבליבן
נישט נאָר אַ מענטש
נאָר אויך א פֿאלק
דאַרף האָבן אַ זכּרון
אָן זכּרון וואָלט אַ פֿאלק
נישט קליגער נישט בעסער געוואָרן
....וואָרצל און פֿליגל
מיט אַ וואָרצל נאָך טיפֿער פֿאַרשטיין
מיט אַ פֿליגל נאָך ווײַטער זען
...וואָרצל און פֿליגל
A Besere Velt (A Better World) is an 80-member, multi-generational Yiddish community chorus celebrating progressive values and commitment to social justice.
A Besere Velt and our smaller chamber ensemble are available to perform at concerts, festivals, celebrations, and social gatherings.
A Besere Velt is part of Boston Workers Circle/Arbeter Ring, a thriving Jewish community that serves as a home for secular Jewish life, a voice for progressive Jewish values and social change, and an arts and education center celebrating Yiddish, Jewish, and progressive culture.
Discover more A Besere Velt videos at
/ @abesereveltworkerscircleyi7461
Learn more about Boston Workers Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice at
circleboston.org

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