Sunday, September 28, 2008

re: heimish afrobeat (potential lyrics)

The world needs heimish afrobeat. Here are some words for music that has yet to be composed.

I'm drawing from Hillel, as discussed in R'Tzvi Hersh Weinreb's recent address to the DNC. This is Judaism 101; universal message is key.
http://www.ou.org/news/article/leader_of_orthodox_union_addresses_democratic_convention_interfaith_gatheri/

“V’ahavta le-rayacha kamocha.You should love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Ma da’alach sanei, lechavrach lo sa’aveid. That which is hateful to you do not do unto your neighbor.”

I've also seen it as this:
Ma d'sani lakh, l'chavrakh al t'avid

What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow

Which one is it? I'm not sure. But here's an essay on Hillel and objectivism. (I am not familiar with the work of Ayn Rand; please refrain from throwing fruit at me.)

“Ki hem chayenu v’orech yameinu. Study is our life, the length of our days.”

“Tzadikim gemurim einam kovlim al horah elah mosifim ohr. The truly righteous do not bemoan ignorance; but they spread knowledge and wisdom.” -Rav Kook

------------------
I am also a big fan of

Im ein ani li, mi li?
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

U'kh'she'ani l'atzmi, ma ani?
And once I am for myself, what am I?

V'im lo akhshav, eimatay?
And if not now, when?

(Hillel)
------------------
"Kamayim HaPanim al Panim, Kach Lev HaAdam" (just like water reflects a face, so too does the heart of mankind). Mishlei [Proverbs] (27:19)

And from the seder:
Ha lachma, ha lachma anya, di achalu, achalu avahatana, b'ara b'ara d'mitzrayim, b'ara b'ara d'mitzrayim. Kol dichfin yeitei v'yeichul, kol ditzrich yeitei v'yifsach. Hashata hacha, lashanah haba-ah b'arah d'yisrael. Hashata avdei, lashanah haba-ah b'nei chorin.
---------
Pirkei Avot is a veritable wellspring from which heimish afrobeat lyrics can be drawn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 comments:

  1. Heimish afrobeat may a tough one, considering the current ban in the heimishe world on drum kits, electric guitars, saxophones, etc.

    Now jezzy afrobeat, there's a distinct possibility ...

    L'Shana Tova

    ReplyDelete
  2. Time flies, and I return to Hillel.

    ReplyDelete