"Tumbalalaika" ( yi, טום־באַלאַלײַקע) is a

Russian Jew The history of the Jews in Russia and areas historically connected with it goes back at least 1,500 years. Jews in Russia have historically constituted a large religious and ethnic diaspora; the Russian Empire at one time hosted the largest pop ...

ish

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fol ...

and love song in the

Yiddish language Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ver ...

. () is the Yiddish word for 'noise' and a balalaika is a stringed musical instrument of Russian origin.

Lyrics

Meaning

While most versions use ('a stone') as the answer to "what can grow without rain", some versions use ('understanding').

Cultural references and covers

* The song ''Over and Over'' by Nana Mouskouri uses this melody. It followed the singer's french version "Roule s'enroule" (lyrics by

Michel Jourdan Michel Yves René Leray (2 June 1926 – 4 August 1985), better known by the stage name of Michel Jourdan, was French film actor. Jourdan died in Paris on 4 August 1985, at the age of 59. Selected filmography * '' The Passenger'' (1949) * '' Mam ...

). * The song, "Tumbalalaika (The Riddle)" by

Natalia Zukerman Natalia Zukerman (born June 25, 1975) is an American artist and musician. She blends genres of blues, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Personal life Zukerman was born in Manhattan, the daughter of violinist/violist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and fl ...

is a poetic adaptation of this to English, with the chorus remaining in Yiddish. * Benny Hill adapted the melody for one of his own compositions, ''Anna Marie,'' which he performed on his first special for

Thames Television Thames Television, commonly simplified to just Thames, was a Broadcast license, franchise holder for a region of the British ITV (TV network), ITV television network serving Greater London, London and surrounding areas from 30 July 1968 until th ...

on November 19, 1969. * The film

Khrustalyov, My Car! ''Khrustalyov, My Car!'' (russian: Хрусталёв, машину!, Khrustalyov, mashinu!) is a 1998 Russian comedy-drama film directed by Aleksei German and written by German and Svetlana Karmalita. It was produced by Canal+, CNC, Goskino, ...

shows a young Jewish boy singing the song in Russian. * The song is used in the film ''Swing'' by Tony Gatlif. * The song is used in the play '' Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes'' by Tony Kushner and the film based on this play. It is sung by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg to Roy Cohn, dying of AIDS. * The song is used in the film ''Prendimi l'anima''/''

The Soul Keeper ''The Soul Keeper'' ( it, Prendimi l'anima; french: L'âme en jeu) is a 2002 Italian-French-British romance-drama film directed by Roberto Faenza. It is loosely based on real life events of Russian psychoanalyst and physician Sabina Spielrein and ...

'' (2002) by

Roberto Faenza Roberto Faenza (born 21 February 1943) is an Italian film director. Born in Turin in 1943, Faenza received a degree in Political Science and a diploma at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. Career Faenza made his directing debut in 1968 ...

. * The metal version of the song is included in the first Metal Yiddish album '' AlefBase'' by Gevolt, released in March 2011 * A pastiche of the song is used in the play ''The Hamlet of Stepney Green: A Sad Comedy with Some Songs'' by Bernard Kops. * The song is included in the album ''Homenatge a Xesco Boix'', a tribute to . The latter used to play in his concerts for children. Also included in ''Cançons catalanes de Folk'' in 1976 (Terra Nostra). * The song appears in the novel '' The City Beautiful'' by

Aden Polydoros Aden ( ar, عدن ' Yemeni: ) is a city, and since 2015, the temporary capital of Yemen, near the eastern approach to the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aden), some east of the strait Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000 people. ...

. * A vietnamese version "Tình Nồng Cháy" (Passioned love) with lyrics by Anh Bằng, based on the english lyrics of "Over and Over" uses this melody. "Youtube, performed by Phương Ly"

References

{{Authority control Jewish folk songs Yiddish-language songs Year of song unknown