Al Kol Eleh - the Israel Philharmonic with the IDF Orchestra
Updated: Sep 26
"Please do not uproot the planted,
Do not forget the hope
Bring me back and I shall return
to the good land"
It is spring outside, Passover is approaching, but our lips still struggle to say "Happy Holidays".
We were looking for words of encouragement and comfort and we found them in the song "Al Kol Eleh”, Over All These, the words of encouragement that Naomi Shemer wrote to her widowed sister.
We were joined by the musicians of the IDF Orchestra conducted by Major Rom Shamir.
We hope the line "Bring me back and I shall return” is heard and that our hostages return soon. (Please note this was prior to the release of the hostage held by Hamas after October 7, 2023) The lyrics of Al Kol Eleh in english are below.
-------------------------------------
Al Kol Eleh (For All These Things)
Music & Lyrics: Naomi Shemer
Arrangement: Izhak ("Ziko") Graziani
The Israel Philharmonic & the IDF Orchestra
Conductor: Major Rom Shamir
Soloist: Uri Shani, Alisa Oleinikova, Eden Maymoni
Video: Dror Heller | Sound: Rafi Eshel, Yaron Aldema - Eshel Studio | Lightning: Ronen Najar
Israel Philharmonic - הפילהרמונית הישראלית
FOR ALL THESE THINGS
Every bee that brings the honey
Needs a sting to be complete
And we all must learn to taste the bitter with the sweet.
Keep, oh Lord, the fire burning
Through the night and through the day
For the man who is returning
from so far away.
Chorus:
Don't uproot what has been planted
So our bounty may increase
Let our dearest wish be granted:
Bring us peace, oh bring us peace.
For the sake of all these things, Lord,
Let your mercy be complete
Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.
Save the houses that we live in
The small fences and the wall
From the sudden war-like thunder
May you save them all.
Guard what little I’ve been given
Guard the hill my child might climb
Let the fruit that’s yet to ripen
Not be plucked before its time.
Chorus:
As the wind makes rustling night sounds
And a star falls in its arc
All my dreams and my desires
Form crystal shapes out of the dark.
Guard for me, oh Lord, these treasures
All my friends keep safe and strong,
Guard the stillness, guard the weeping,
And above all, guard this song.
Chorus:
For the sake of all these things, Lord,
Let your mercy be complete
Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.
Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.
