Words and Music by Sam Glaser
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
On eight winter nights we light
The lights on the menorah
Together with millions of our people everywhere
In spite of the darkness we light
The lights on the menorah
Knowing the dark doesn't hold a candle to our prayers
We light the lights
Warming up the whole wide world all over
We light and we heal each broken heart
We light tonight
Singing out our favorite songs together
And for a moment we see
We're not so far apart
There have been times of danger
When we couldn't learn our Torah
When they tried to make our spirit disappear
So eight nights a year we light
The lights on the menorah
Showing the promise of our Torah perseveres
We light the lights
Warming up the whole wide world all over
We light and we heal each broken heart
We light tonight
Singing out our favorite songs together
And for a moment hope is not so far away
As long as we light we're getting closer everyday
We light the lights
Warming up the whole wide world all over
We light and we heal each broken heart
We light tonight
Singing out our favorite songs together
We can be sure the flame will never disappear
Because we will light again this very time next year
2. Dreidl Star!
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(to the tune of Highway Star)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
Nobody gonna take my dreydl
It’ll never hit the ground
Nobody gonna beat my dreydl
It'll break the speed of sound
Oooh it's a spinning machine
It's got everything
Nun, hay and shin
Gimel I get everything
I love it, I need it, I spin it
Yeah it's a wild hurricane
That’s right, eight nights
I'm a dreydl star
Nobody gonna get my gelt
Gonna open up a bank
Nobody gonna get my gelt
Got my rich uncles to thank
Each night I get me some more
Don’t know what it’s for
Gonna buy me some toys
Then straight to the candy store
I love it, I need it, I spend it
I’m a chocolate millionaire
Hold tight in eight nights
I can buy a car
My bubby is a sheyna meydl
She can cook yours to the ground
Stand back while she makes a kneydl
Yeah, they’re always nice and round
Ooh, she’s a latka machine
She fries everything
Homemade soufganiyot
Kreplach that will make you sing
I love her, I kiss her, I hug her
Yeah watch out for the chrain
That’s right, eight nights
I’m a dreydl star
3. Macabee
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(to the tune of Let it Be)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
When I find myself in mid-December
Store-wide savings call to me
I remember Judah Macabee
Although Santa looks just like my rabbi
Still I know he’s not for me
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, burning bright eternally
I remember Judah Macabee
Roasting chestnuts, eggnog lattes
They don’t mean so much to me
I remember Judah Macabee
For though they may be tasty
It’s the taste of Torah that I need
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, I’m a rebel, can’t you see
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, Matidyahu and company
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, my menorah lets me see
I remember Judah Macabee
Goodwill to men and seasons greetings
Make us one big family
A dream come true of perfect unity
I wake up to the sound of klezmer
Mother Rochel comes to me
Speaking words in Hebrew, lu yehi
Macabee, Macabee, I keep kosher, can’t you see?
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, the Star of David is for me
I remember Judah Macabee
Macabee, Macabee, burning bright eternally
I remember Judah Macabee
4. Latkas
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(to the tune of My Girl)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
I got challah
Every Friday Night
And when it’s Pesach time
Matzah fills my appetite
Every Chanukah you’ll hear me say
One thing makes me feel OK
Latkas, sour cream and latkas
I got so much honey
On Rosh Hashanah
And if I’m lost in the desert
I’ll eat some manna
Every Chanukah you’ll hear me say
I’ll eat them till I’m old and gray
Latkas, crispy brown latkas
Az egmor, b’shir mizmor
I don’t need hamantashen
Unless it’s Purim fest
And I think blintzes and cheesecake
On Shavuot is best
Every Chanukah you’ll hear me say
Pile them pancakes on my tray
Latkas, sour cream and latkas
Who cares whatever they may cost
And don’t forget the applesauce
5. Nes Gadol Hayah Sham
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(To the tune of Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love by Van Halen)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
I heard the news baby
All about the Macabees
It was the 25th of Kislev
The Holy Temple was freed Oh, yeah!
Nes gadol hayah sham
That Antiochus is no more
Nes gadol hayah sham
Just like I told you before, yeah, before
When they got up to the Temple
It was in total disarray
They only found one cruse of oil, baby
But it lasted eight days, yeah eight days
Nes gadol hayah sham…
Nes gadol hayah sham…
We were pushed to the edge
But we didn’t back down
Don’t try to take away our Torah
You’ll see that we don’t mess around
If you want it got to live it
Got to eat it, got to breathe it
Yeah, dive right in and you can have it
Give it a chance and you will love it
Nes gadol hayah sham
That Antiochus is no more
Nes gadol hayah sham
Just like I told you before, before, before
Nes gadol hayah sham
Hey, hey, hey (9x)
6. Eight Nights a Year
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(To the tune of Eight Days a Week)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
I love my menorah
I made it myself
Waiting for December
When I take it off the shelf
Lighting, loving
Chanukah’s coming
I light my menorah
Eight nights a year
Sitting in our window
Spreading those golden rays
Just like in the Temple
Where the oil lasted for eight days
Lighting, loving…
Eight nights a year
I light you
Eight nights a year
I know your light shines everywhere
I love my menorah
Watch it burn so bright
Just like the light of Torah
It gets me through the night
Lighting, loving…
Eight nights a year
I light you
Eight nights a year
I sing this song and say a prayer
I love my menorah
Miracles on my mind
All these years we’ve wandered
But our light has always shined
Lighting, loving…
7. Chanukah History
Music and Lyric by Cara Freedman
It was so long ago
‘ Bout 165 BCE
Our people living in Judah
Were told they couldn’t be free
And then the Syrian king
He tried to change all our ways
The way we eat and we dress
The way we study and pray
But our people knew this wasn’t right
They chose a leader and turned to fight
Three years of battle both day and night
Until we finally won
Now every candle we light
Sparks a flame that’s alive in our soul
Reminding everybody
To keep their eye on the goal
With every blessing we sing
Every time we reach for the stars
We are teaching our children
Be proud of who you are
‘ Cause our people know when to be strong
When to stand up and sing freedom’s song
What a feeling to know we belong
And to know we are one
'
Cause we rededicated the Temple
We celebrate today
With prayers, lights and dancing
And dreydl games we play
I am a symbol of courage
I am a symbol of victory
A reminder all over the world
Of Chanukah history
8. Eight Crazy Nights
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(To the tune of Twist and Shout)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
Nes gadol haya sham
You gotta spin the dreydl now
You gotta light the lights
Eight days of Chanukah
And eight crazy nights
Well the sun’s going down
And it’s time for the show
Get yourself a couple candles, baby
And turn the lights down low
You’d better strap on your yarmulkah
And let your spirit take flight
On eight days of Chanukah, baby
And eight crazy nights
Just start with the shamash now
Then light left to right
I’ve never seen so many candles burnin’
It’s a miraculous sight, ooooh!
Nes gadol haya sham
Spin the dreidl now
You gotta light the lights
Eight days of Chanukah, yeah
And eight crazy nights
You know you twist your little wick
And place it in the oil
You better eat up all tho se latkas, now
Cause we don’t want them to spoil
Spin it, spin it, spin it baby now
Sing it with me
Nes gadol haya sham
9. A Chanukah to Remember
Music and Lyric by Sam Glaser
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
The first candle we light
Dispels a world of darkness
With one tiny flame
The next candle we light
Standing with our bravest hero
Judah was his name
Give me a Chanukah to remember
The way our people never give up hope
Give me a Chanukah to remember
The ones I love the most
The third candle we light
For the three mitzvot the Greeks
Declared a crime
The next candle we light
Four letters on the dreidl
Spinning throughout time
Give me a Chanukah to remember
The way our people hold the Torah close…
Give me a Chanukah to remember
The ones I love the most
Light up the darkest nights
Deep in December
Give me a Chanukah
Like I remember
The fifth candle we light
Each book of Torah
Makes our lives so sweet and pure
The sixth candle burns bright
As we're singing out each verse of Maoz Tzur
The seventh candle we light
Knowing the week's coming to an end
And we pray the world will be whole
That the eighth candle heals our soul
Give me a Chanukah like I remember
Give me a Chanukah like I remember
10. Rockin’ Chanukah Medley
Traditional
Al hanisim v’al hapurkan
V’al hag’vurot, v’al hat’shu’ot
V’al hamilchamot
She’asita lavoteynu
Bayamim haheym baz’man hazeh
Mi yimalel g’vurot Yisrael
Otan mi yimneh
Hen b’chol dor yakum hagibor
Go’el Ha’am
Sh’ma bayamim haheym baz’man hazeh
Makabi moshia ufodeh
Uvyameynu kol am Yisrael
Yitached yakum v’yigae’l
Mi yimalel g’vurot Yisrael…
Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
Come light the menorah
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the horah
Gather ‘round the table
We’ll give you a treat
Driedls to play with and latkas to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
S'vivon, sov, sov, sov
Chanukah hu chag tov
Chanukah hu chag tov
S'vivon, sov, sov, sov
Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol ha ya sham
Nes gadol ha ya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then, dreidel I shall play.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, deridel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then, dreidel I shall play
Al hanisim v’al hapurkan
V’al hag’vurot, v’al hat’shu’ot
V’al hamilchamot
Mi yimalel g’vurot Yisrael
Otan mi yivneh
Chen b’chol dor yakum hagibor
Go’el Ha’am
Mi yimalel g’vurot Yisrael
Otan mi yivneh
Chen b’chol dor yakum hagibor
Go’el Ha’am
Hey/Nun/Gimel/Shin
11. Give Me Some Presents
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(to the tune of Sure Had a Wonderful Time Last Night)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
Give me some presents on Chanukah
The very best gifts you can find
Give me some presents on Chanukah
I’ll tell you what I have in mind
I’ll take parents that love me, my brother and sis
My bubby and zayde and each sloppy kiss
Give me some presents on Chanukah
One for each day would be nice
Give me some presents on Chanukah
Wrap them in crisp blue and white
Give me some presents on Chanukah
On eight of the greatest of nights
I’ll take the gift of being Jewish, the world to perfect
A dose of forgiveness and the time to reflect
Give me some presents on Chanukah
One for each day would be nice
Give me some presents on Chanukah
Stack them right up nice and high
Give me some presents on Chanukah
Don’t make me wait till July
I want the courage to love and let others love me
To stand up for truth just like J Macabee
Give me some presents on Chanukah
One for each day would be nice, oh yeah
One for each day would be nice, uh huh
12. Maoz Tzur
Traditional
Maoz Tzur y’shuati
L’cha na’eh l’shabeyach
Tikon beyt t’filati
V’sham todah n’zabeyach
L’eyt tachin matbeyach
Mitzar ham’nabeyach
Az egmor b’shir mizmor
Chanukat hamizbeyach
Az egmor b’shir mizmor
Chanukat hamizbeyach
13. Shehecheyanu
Music and Lyric by Sam Glaser
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
Count all the blessings
That we witness each day
Every moment is a gift from above
Reaching this perfect place in time
We touch forever
When we’re all together celebrating
Lighting the candles
Drinking the wine
Feeling the embrace of Your love
Just as the day turns into night
The seasons measure
Our greatest pleasure
Shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu
V’higiyanu laz’man hazeh
Thank You for the children
Filling the room with laughter
Growing as we fly through the years
Your love we place within their hearts
They’ll receive it
If we believe it
Shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu
V’higiyanu laz’man hazeh
Thank You for the melody
That comes from the soul
Thank You for the music of our journey
Thank You for the chance to sing each day
Of Your faith and Your love
14. My Sukkah’s on Fire G
Lyric by Sam Glaser
(To the tune of Great Balls of Fire)
© 2007 Glaser Musicworks. All Rights Reserved.
You shake my lulav and you rattle my fruit
This kind of etrog costs a lot of loot
Can’t get my fill, oh, what a thrill
Goodness gracious, my sukkah’s on fire
Let’s make some food and send out invitations
Put up some walls and hang the decorations
We gonna roch
Beneath the schach
Goodness gracious, my sukkah’s on fire
Shake it baby, ooooh
You shake it real good
Shake it baby
Let me shake it like a lulav should
You’re fine and you’re mine
Making my kiddush on the fruit of the vine
East, South, West, North, up, down
Just take those branches and shake ‘em all around
Shehechiyanu v’kiymanu
Goodness gracious, my sukkah’s on fire
Shake it baby, ooooh
You shake it real good
Shake it baby
Let me shake it like a lulav should
Frigid nights, mosquito bites
Don’t really bug me cuz I’m feeling out of sight
You shake my lulav and you rattle my fruit
This ain’t no lemon in a fancy suit
Feelin’ the love of G-d above
Goodness gracious, my sukkah’s on fire
V’samachta b’chagecha
V’hayita ach sameach
Bring on the rain, I won’t complain
Goodness gracious, my sukkah’s on fire
15. Candle Blessings
Traditional
Baruch Ata Adoshem
Elokeynu Melech HaOlam
Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav
V’tzivanu l’hadlik neyr
Shel Chanukah
Baruch Ata Adoshem
Elokeynu Melech HaOlam
She’asa nisim la’avoteynu
Bayamim haheym
Baz’man hazeh
Baruch Ata Adoshem
Elokeynu Melech HaOlam
Shehecheyanu
V’kiy’manu
V’higiyanu laz’man hazeh