Skip to main content

Songs of the Ghetto

Abraham Brun
Songs of the Ghetto

During World War II, the term “ghetto” took on new meaning as a place where Jews in Nazi–controlled Europe were required to live, usually later to be transported to concentration camps. Ghetto residents often turned to music to express their sorrow, ease their burden, and seek courage. While many of the songs relate directly to the Holocaust, others concern Jewish life in Eastern Europe prior to the war.

The songs in this recording are sung in Yiddish, traditionally the primary secular language of Eastern European Jews. Cantor Abraham Brun (1909—1998), a Holocaust survivor, is uniquely qualified to sing these songs, having performed many of them in the Lodz Ghetto and in the concentration camps at Auschwitz.

The liner notes, written in English and Yiddish, contain the song lyrics and a brief biography of Cantor Brun.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Ten of Us Seated Abraham Brun 02:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
School Days Abraham Brun 03:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
No Raisins and No Almonds - Parody on a Traditional Jewish Lullaby Abraham Brun 02:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Uncle Itzi Abraham Brun 01:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
If Not Faith - Fragment Abraham Brun 02:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Little Jew Brothers Abraham Brun 01:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Tonu Rabonon (The Talmud Student) Abraham Brun 04:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Moments of Confidence Abraham Brun 02:47
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Quiet, Be Quiet Abraham Brun 04:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Suns Do Not Become Extinguished Abraham Brun 01:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
Shut Your Little Eyes Abraham Brun 02:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
My Years Abraham Brun 02:24
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
A Song Abraham Brun 03:07
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
Why Need We Cry? Abraham Brun 02:35