Yiddish Folk Songs for Children

Mark Olf (1905–1987) was a composer and singer of Yiddish and Hebrew songs. Olf emigrated to the U.S. from Russia when he was young; he later recorded some of the songs he had heard as a child, toured the country performing, and taught music at the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, Queens College (CUNY), and the University of Rhode Island. On this recording--one of four he made for Folkways Records—he sings fanciful Yiddish songs for children. Some have known authors, including two songs with lyrics by Aliza Greenblatt, the mother-in-law of Woody Guthrie and grandmother of Arlo. Yiddish, which incorporates elements of German, Hebrew, and Slavic languages, was the primary secular language of the Jews in Eastern Europe. Liner notes provide English translations, English transliterations of the Yiddish, and the original Yiddish texts.

Track Listing

101	Baim Breg Yam	Mark Olf	01:29
102	Nit Geshtoigen Nit Gefloigen (Hert a Maise Kinderlech)	Mark Olf	01:39
103	A Shpil Aza	Mark Olf	01:18
104	Hayda Nu Zurik in Cheider	Mark Olf	02:43
105	Yugnt Hymn	Mark Olf	02:12
106	In A Kleinem Shtibele	Mark Olf	01:09
107	Bai Dem Shtetl	Mark Olf	01:43
201	Kestelech	Mark Olf	02:49
202	Caruseln	Mark Olf	01:10
203	Shmulik, Gavrilik	Mark Olf	01:58
204	Yankele	Mark Olf	02:41
205	Drai Yingelech	Mark Olf	01:28
206	Az Der Rebbe Est	Mark Olf	01:35