Di Yam Gazlonim Being A Yiddish Version of
The Pirates of Penzance (or; The Slave of Duty)
Written By
Al Grand Original English Libretto by
William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) Music Composed By
Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) First produced on 18 March 2007 by the National Yiddish Theatre at the Goldman Sonnenfeldt Family Auditorium of the Jewish Community Center 33 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan, New York Recorded by the Gilbert & Sullivan Yiddish Light Opera Company
Cover Image by Marty Fuller. Used by Permission
Di Yam Gazlonim
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ GROYSER-GROYSER GENERAL (A dignified English/Jewish gentleman of military bearing, about 60) THE GROYSER GAZLEN (A tough Jewish pirate, 40) SHMUEL (his second-in-command) FAYVL (An overly earnest young man, 21) SERZHANT OF POLITSEY MALKE (Our ingénue) DEVOYRE YEHUDIS KHAYE
}
(Groyser General's Daughters)
RIVKE (a piratical maid-of-all-work, 47) Chorus of Gazlonim, Politsey, and Sheyne Meydlakh.
ACT I A rocky sea-shore on the coast of Cornwall
ACT II A ruined chapel by moonlight
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Di Yam Gazlonim
DI YAM GAZLONIM (Yiddish “Pirates of Penzance�) is fully protected by the laws of copyright and is subject to royalty. All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio and television broadcasting, and quotation are strictly reserved except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. No part of this work may be used in any way without the written consent of the author and copyright holder ALBERT GRAND. All inquiries concerning rights in the book and Yiddish lyrics should be addressed to Al Grand, 933 Lawrence Court, North Bellmore, NY, by e-mail to savoyid@optonline.net or by phone at 516-292-8724. Purchase of performance materials does not grant a performance license. Performance materials are published by Ayotte Custom Musical Engravings, LLC (ASCAP) Scripts (ISBN 978-0-9892735-9-6) Piano-Vocal Score (ISBN 978-0-9892735-1-0) Full Study Score (available direct from publisher) Orchestral Parts (available direct from publisher) Send inquiries to Dr. Benjamin Ayotte at ayottemusic@aol.com Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the email address above
Printed in the United States of America
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Di Yam Gazlonim
THE ARGUMENT When Fayvl was a little lad, he was a model Yeshiva student. When he completed his studies. His mother's faithful friend, Rivke, took him to meet a variety of respectable people throughout the world. She ultimately had him apprenticed, until his 21st birthday, to a group of bearded men whom she thought were rabbis (rabonim), but they turned out to be pirates (gazlonim). As the curtain opens, the gazlonim are celebrating Fayvl's 21st birthday. Fayvl tells the gazlonim that he is about to leave their band. The gazlonim vow never to return to civilization. Rivke (who is old enough to be Fayvl's mother) says that she will be his loyal wife. Fayvl (who has never seen any other woman) is about to accept when he discovers a group of beautiful girls. He angrily dismisses Rivke and falls in love with Malke. The gazlonim reappear, seize the girls, and vow to marry them at once, but their father, Der Groyser General, arrives. He recites his lengthy history and tells them a terrible lie--that he is an orphan. The gazlonim feel sorry for him and release his daughters. As Act II opens, Der Groyser General's conscience is gnawed because he lies to the pirates. Nevertheless, he plans an expedition of police against the galonim to be led by Fayvl. But Rivke and the Groyser Gazlen reveal that Fayvl was born in leap year and has had only five birthdays. He must therefore remain a yam gazlen ("sea robber") until his 21st birthday. Fayvl unhappily agrees and once again becomes a pirate. Fayvl tells the gazlonim of the Groyser General's deception. They decide to punish Der Groyser General for lying to them, and they defeat the politsey in battle. But the Serzhant of Politsey charges the pirates throw down their swords in Der Lubavichter Rebbe's name! The gazlonim yield and start to kneel, but Rivke makes a startling announcement: "Zey zayen nit gazlonim!" ("they are not really robbers!") they are really all gentlemen who have gone wrong. The opera ends in general rejoicing as Der Groyser General says to the former gazlonim, "Nemt mayne tekhter!" ("take my daughters!"). They each take a daughter and dance happily.
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE The orthography used on this transliteration is one that was established in the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and accepted by the Library of Congress. This orthography is elaborated upon in Uriel Weinreich's Yiddish-English and English-Yiddish Dictionary. O = "UH" as in BUT U = "OO" as in BOOK I = ranges from "I" in FIT to "EE" in FEET E = "EH" as in BET OY -- similar to "OY" in BOY, but shorter A -- similar to "A" in FATHER, but shorter EY = "EY" in GREY AY = "I" in FINE KH = "CH" as in German ACH
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Di Yam Gazlonim
MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 1 OVERTURE ....................................................................................................................... 5 #1 OPENING CHORUS Gis Arayn (Shmuel and Gazlonim) ............................................ 5 #2 SOLO Mit Yorn Tsurik (Rivke) ..................................................................................... 6 #3 SOLO AND CHORUS Oy Beser Iz Far Mir Tsu Zayn (Groyser Gazen and Gazlonim) ................................................................................... 8 #4 RECITATIVE AND DUET Bist Mies Un Nit Sheyn Vi Gold (Rivke and Fayvl) ....... 10 #5 CHORUS Shpringen Mir Tsvishn Berg Un Shteyner (Sheyne Meydlakh) ................. 11 #6 RECITATIVE Maydelekh, shtelt zukh op! (Fayvl and Sheyne Meydlakh) ................. 13 #7 SOLO WITH CHORUS (Fayvl) Avu Iz Do A Meydl Sheyn? ...................................... 14 #8 SOLO WITH CHORUS (Malke and Sheyne Meydlakh) Umgliklekher...................... 15 #9 RECITATIVE Shtey Bald Kumen Vilde Mener (Fayvl, Meydlakh, Gazlonim)........... 15 #10 RECITATIVE AND CHORUS Vart, Khayes (Ensemble) ........................................ 16 #11 SONG Ikh Bin A Groyser General (Groyser General and Chorus) .......................... 17 #12 FINALE ACT I Heruf, Gazlonim Loz Mir Op (Ensemble) ....................................... 19
Act 2 #13 CHORUS Oy Veyn Nit Ziser Tate (Meydlakh and Malke) ........................................ 22 #14 CHORUS Ven Der Soyne Vayzt Di Shverd (Politsey) ............................................... 23 #15 TRIO Ven Du Host Undz Ibergelozt (Rivke, Fayvl, and Groyser Gazlen) ................ 26 #16 TRIO Hooray, Hooray ((Rivke, Fayvl, and Groyser Gazlen) .................................... 29 #17 DUET Shtey, Fayvl, Shtey (Malke and Fayvl) ........................................................... 30 #18 CHORUS Ven A Ganef Rut Zikh Op (Serzhant and Politsey).................................... 32 #19 CHORUS Es Zol Zayn Sha!(Shmuel and Gazlonim) ................................................. 34 #20 SONG1 AND FINALE ACT II Ven Ikh Leyg Zikh In Bet (Groyser General and Ensemble) ............................................................................... 36
1
The "Nightmare Song" from Ionalthe
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Di Yam Gazlonim
ACT I OVERTURE SCENE. – A rocky seashore on the coast of Cornwall: In the distance is a calm sea, on which a schooner is lying at anchor. As the curtain rises groups of pirates are discovered – some drinking, some playing cards. SHMUEL, the Pirate Lieutenant, is going from one group to another, filling the cups from a flask. FAYVL is seated in a despondent attitude at the back of the scene. #1 OPENING CHORUS GAZLONIM: Gis shoyn on flakonen mit bronfn, Un derlang a fleshl mit vayn. Un derlang undz beygelekh mit seltzer; Veln mir ale gants freylekh zayn. SHMUEL:
Haynt iz Fayvl undzer lernyingl Eyn un tsvantsig yor gevorn. Shtark iz er un trogt an oyringl, Kum mit undz avu mir forn!
GAZLONIM: Mazltov! s'iz yetst a freylekhe tsayt! Mir freyen zikh mit fayvl's frayhayt! SHMUEL:
Kum un for mit undz arum der velt, Gute yorn hostu gehat. Mir veln khapn shifn, makhn gelt, Bist an emeser pirat!
GAZLONIM: Mazltov! s'iz yetst a freylekhe tsayt! Mir freyen zikh mit fayvl's frayhayt! Gis shoyn on flakonen mit bronfn, etc. FAYVL rises and comes forward with GROYSER GAZLEN, who enters. GROYSER GAZLEN: Yo Fayvl, haynt bistu gevorn an emeser gazlen! GAZLONIM: Yasher koyekh!! FAYVL: Mayne fraynt, fun tifn hartsn dank ikh aykh ale far ayere brokhes. Ober haynt muz ikh zikh gezegenen mit aykh af eybig. GROYSER GAZLEN: (shocked and surprised) Gezegnst zikh mit undz? Af eybig! Ober farvos? Du bist dokh eyner fun di beste gazlonim afn yam!
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Di Yam Gazlonim
FAYVL: Yo mayne fraynt, ikh hob zikh bamit mit ale koykhes tsu zayn a getrayer pirat. Ikh hob dos geton vayl s’iz poshet geven mentshlekh azoy tsu handlen. S'iz geven mayn flikht un a vort iz a vort! Nisht gekukt af dem vos ikh bin arayn in ayer grupe durkh a toes. SHMUEL: A toes? Vos far a toes? FAYVL: Dos ken ikh aykh nit zogn vayl ikh vil nit farshemen mayn balibt Rivke. RIVKE rises and comes forward. RIVKE: Neyn mayn tayerer fayvl. Mayn gevisn iz tsu lang geven geplogt fun shuld. Es iz geven durkh mayn toes vos du bist arayngefaln in di hent fun di beheymes. Ikh vel dir itst dertseyln di gantse mayse: #2 SONG – RIVKE Mit yorn tsurik iz Fayvele gegangen in Yeshive, Er't gut gelernt Rambam, Rashi, un Rabi Akive. Zayn mame's fraynt bin ikh geven un zi hot mikh gebetn, Tsu nemen Fayvlen far der hant zayn lebn im oysgletn. Ikh hob getrakht i tog i nakht avu ikh zol im nemen, Kh'hob gut geklogt un im gezogt, "Zolst redn, zikh nit shemen". Ikh hob mayn Fayvelen geshlept zikh bagegenen mit mentshn, Doktoyrim, advokatn, profesorn,--Got zol zey bentshn, Batrefn mir tsen fremde layt mit mesers in di tseyner, "A minyan!" zog ikh, "Fayvele, fun shokhtim groyse un kleyne!" "Farbind zikh, mit zey, Fayvele shokhtim zaynen nit kabtsonim." A klog tsu mir, an umglik dir, geven zen zey gazlonim! Bald vi ikh hob aleyn gezen az zey zaynen gor gazlonim, Iz vos ikh hob geton, mayne libe fraynd, geven af mayne sonim. Kh'hob zikh gut geshemt ven ikh hob bamerkt az di mener zaynen proste. Un kayn breyre hob ikh nit gehat nor tsu zayn zeyere baleboste. Kh’hob gekokht far zey un gebakn far zey un kh’hob oysgeprest zeyere kleyder, Dos volt nit pasirt, mit Fayvele, ven er volt geblibn in kheyder! RIVKE: (kneels) Oy zay mir moykhl mayn liber Fayvl. Ikh bin geven zikher az di mener zaynen rabonim. Ay, bin ikh geven a nar! Mayn tayerer Fayvl, zay mir moykhl! (sobs) FAYVL: Shtey of mayn tayere RIVKE. Ikh hob dir shoyn lang moykl geven. Ober shrek zikh nit. Ikh gey bald avek fun di paskudnyakes un du kenst kumen mit mir.
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Di Yam Gazlonim
SHMUEL: Ikh farshtey gants gut, Fayvl, farvos du vilst undz farlozn. S'iz shver tsu makhn a lebn fun undzer ganeyvishn fakh2. GALZLEN #2: Ikh volt gevolt visn farvos. FAYVL: Ikh veys di sibe, ober ikh tor dos nit oyszogn. GROYSER GAZLEN: Vart tsu, Fayvl. S'iz ersht halb nokh elf un du bist eyner fun undz biz tsvelf a zeyger! SHMUEL: Du bist gerekht mayn fraynt. Un biz der zeyger vet klingen tsvelf muztu ton dos vos iz gut far undz. Zog vos ligt bay dir afn hartsn! GAZLONIM: Yo! Yo! FAYVL: Nu, dervayle iz es mayn gazlonishe flikht aykh tsu zogn az ir zent tsu veykhhartsik. L'moshl, ir shlogt davke keyn mol nisht di mentshn vos zaynen shvakher fun aykh. Un ven ir atakirt eynem vos iz shtarker, vert ir yedes mol tseklapt. GROYSER GAZLEN: S'do a shtikl emes in dem. FAYVL: Dertsu, vet ir keynmol nit shlekhts ton kin yosim. SHMUEL: Nu zikher. Mir zaynen dokh aleyn y'soymim un mir veysn dem tam. FAYVL: Emes, ober ale shifn afn yam hobn shoyn gehert derfun, un yederer vos mir pruvn khapn zogt az er iz a yosim. Di letste dray shifn vos mir zaynen bafaln zaynen vayst oys geven gefirt in gantsn fun y'soymim un mir hobn zey gedarft lozn geyn. GROYSER GAZLEN: Ober Fayvl, du vilst nit az mir zoln zayn in gantsn On rakhmones! FAYVL: Do ligt der hunt bagrobn! Biz tsvelf azeyger, yo, ober nokh tsvelf, neyn. Vi es zol nit zayn, in a halber sho arum vel ikh ayerbande farlozn af eybig. Un es tut mir layd ober demolt vel ikh zikhibergebn mit'n gantsn hartsn aykh tsu derhargenen -- khotch ikh hob aykh lib! GROYSER GAZLEN: Nu, Fayvele, oyb du gleybst az du muzt, gey un tu vos du darfst ton. FAYVL: Avade, saydn... ir vet tsurik forn mit mir tsu der yidisher velt? GROYSER GAZLEN: Neyn, Fayvl, - dos ken nit zayn. Ikh ken nit farlozn mayn gesheft. FAYVL: Ay, s'iz take a shod! Ober di andere yam gazlonim - efsher veln zey kumen mit mir? GROYSER GAZLEN: Fayvele - az ikh tants tantsn ale gazlonim! Un ikh vel lebn un shtarbn a yam gazlen!! 2
Fakh = "specialty; trade; vocation"
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Di Yam Gazlonim
#3 SONG – GROYSER GAZLEN GROYSER GAZLEN: Oy beser iz far mir tsu zayn, Unter a shvartser fon gants fayn, (points to flag) A frumer yid ken ikh nit zayn, Un zeltn gey ikh mir in shul arayn. Far mir iz di erlekhe velt tsu eng, Un makhn a lebn iz zeyer shtreng, Bin ikh getray tsu mayn sheyn gezang, Un shray ikh tsu aykh mit harts un klang Az ikh bin a groyser pirat! Un es iz, es iz gor mole kheyn tsu zayn a yam pirat. Ikh bin a groyser pirat! GAZLONIM: Yo, yo! Hura far dem yam pirat! GROYSER GAZLEN: Un es iz, es iz, gor mole kheyn tsu zayn a yam pirat. GAZLONIM: Yo, yo! Hura far dem yam pirat! GROYSER GAZLEN: Ven ikh for arum afn vaser tif, Un ze dort fun vaytns a groyse shif, Loyf ikh ir nokh mit biksn greyt, Un shis ir arunter avu zi shteyt. Dos git fargenign tsu mir aleyn, Di orntlikhe velt ken dos nit farshteyn, Khotch ikh farshtey az in gor der velt, Khosheve layt baga-a-anv'nen gelt Yo ikh bin a groyser pirat! Un es iz es iz gor mole kheyn tsu zayn a yam pirat. Ikh bin a groyser pirat! GAZLONIM: Yo, yo, hura far dem yam pirat! GROYSER GAZLEN: Un es iz, es iz, gor mole kheyn tsu zayn a yam pirat! GAZLONIM: Yo, yo hura far dem yam pirat, hura far dem yam pirat! Exeunt all except FAYVL and RIVKE. RIVKE: Fayvele, nem mikh mit ven du vest farlozn di paskudne bande piratn. Ikh vel dir zayn a getraye froy.
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Di Yam Gazlonim
FAYVL: Mayn tayere, ikh darf dikh epes fregn. Zogn zogstu mir az du bist sheyn vi di velt. Ober ikh darf zayn zikher. Zog mir -dem emes- vi farglaykhstu zikh tsu andere froyen? RIVKE: Vos heyst vi farglaykh ikh zikh? FAYVL: Kh'vil zogn - bistu a sheyne? RIVKE: (bashfully) Mener hobn mir gezogt az ikh bin sheyn. FAYVL: Ven? RIVKE: Ay, mit lange yorn tsurik. Ober ikh gleyb mitn gantsn hartsn az ikh bin geblibn azoy sheyn vi ikh bin geven in mayne yunge yorn. FAYVL: S'iz emes? RIVKE: S'iz emes. FAYVL: Nu, du host mir keyn mol nit gezogt kayn lign. Ikh hob, farshteyt zikh, keyn mol nit gezen kayn andere froyen, ober az du zogst mir az du bist a sheyne, muz ikh dir gleybn. Lomir geyn gefinen a rov er zol shraybn a ksube. (Chorus of MEYDLAKH heard in the distance.) RIVKE: (aside) Oy a brokh! Di shtimes fun yunge meydlekh! ven er derzet zey bin ikh a farfalene! FAYVL: (looking off into distance): Gotenyu! Yunge meydlekh! Sheyne yunge meydlekh! Yede eyne iz sheyn vi a blum! (Turns to Rivke) Rivke, host mikh opgenart! Du host mir gezogt az du bist a sheynkayt un ikh hob dir gegleybt! Ober tsum sof iz dos a lign gor! #4 DUET – FAYVL AND RIVKE: FAYVL: Bist mies un nit sheyn vi gold, RIVKE: (wildly) Oy, Fayvl, hob rakhmones! FAYVL: Du haltst mikh far a groysn yold, RIVKE: Getroy mir binemones!3 FAYVL: Du host mikh shoyn gut opgenart, RIVKE: Ikh veyn vi di almones!
3
Getroy mir binemones = "Trust my good faith!"
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Di Yam Gazlonim
FAYVL:
Dayn ponim iz dokh oysgedart,
RIVKE:
Bashits mikh fun shadkhones!
FAYVL:
Falshe froy bist du bist a lignern, ikh hob dir getroyt!!
RIVKE:
Fayvele, loz mikh nit iber; her zikh tsu tsu mir!
FAYVL:
Falshe Rivke!
RIVKE:
Fayvl, Fayvl!
FAYVL:
Fayvele loz mikh nit iber, her zikh tsu tsu mir!
RIVKE:
Falshe froyke bist a lignern, ikh hob dir getroyt!! Oyb du vest mikh shoyn nemen, Vel ikh dikh nit farshemen Nem dayn tayere Rivke – ir libshaft groys un shtark, Mayn libe vert nit farshvundn, Mayn harts mit dir iz farbundn, Fir un tsvantsik yor - fir un tsvantsik yor.
RIVKE: Oy, mayn tayerer Fayvl, Shik mikh nit tsum tayvl, Ven du lozt mikh iber do, veynt dos harts in mir. Mayn shtarke libe'z geblibn, Hot lang zikh ongeklibn, Zibn un fertsik yor!
FAYVL: Yo, dayn tayerer Fayvl, Shikt dir nit tsum tayvl,. Dayn libe brent bay dir in harts, ay zog es nit tsu mir! Du zogst nit kayn lign, Es hot lang zikh ongeklibn, Zibn un fertsik yor!
FAYVL: Falshe froy du bist a lignern, ikh hob dir getroyt! RIVKE: Fayvele loz mikh nit iber her zikh tsu tsu mir! At the end he renounces her, and she goes off sobbing. FAYVL: (recitative) Vos zol ikh ton? Ikh shem zikh az zey zoln mikh zen in mayne piratishe malbushim. Neyn, neyn ikh muz zikh gikh bahaltn biz ikh vel gefinen laytishe kleyder. Hides in cave as they enter climbing over the rocks. #5 CHORUS OF SHEYNE MEYDLAKH MEYDLAKH: Shpringen mir tsvishn berg un shteyner, Ay, s'iz take haynt a tog a sheyner, 11
Di Yam Gazlonim
Loyfn mir arum di groyse beymer. Tantsn mir arum di blumen, Feygelekh zingen vu mir kumen,; Zingen zey a freylekh lid avu mir geyen. Krikhn oyf beymer in di velder, Katchen zikh in grine felder, Loyfn mir arum in grine felder Lakhn mir un zingen lider, Tantsn mir un shpringen vider, Biz dem groysn yam ze’en mir. Lakhn mir un zingen lider, Tantsn mir un shpringen vider, Biz dem groysn yam ze’en mir. YEHUDIS:
Lomir ale tantsn un gut freylekh zayn, Kumt un shmekt mit undz di frishe luft gants fayn, Nor af simkhes trefn zikh mir, Mazl tov, a gutn tog tsu dir!
MEYDLAKH: Nor af simkhes trefn zikh mi-ir, Un a gutn tog tsu dir! YEHUDIS:
Yedn tog di zun in himl far undz shaynt, Blimelekh un vilde khayes zaynen undz’re fraynt, Vert di zun bald gold un gel, Un der tog flit avek azoy shnel. Yo es flit avek shnel.
MEYDLAKH: Vert di zun bald gold un gel, Un der tog flit avek shnel. KHAYE:
Keyner arbet nit tsu shver, Gelt a sakh darf men nit mer, Do voynen mir gliklekh un aleyn, In a velt vos iz far undz shtark sheyn, Do tsvishn shteyner voynen mir, Un darfst nit zayn do kayn gevir. Yede iz a malke do. Mir bagrisn aykh borukh habo!
MEYDLAKH: Yede iz a malke do Mir bagrisn aykh borukh habo. MEYDLAKH: Lomir ale tantsn un gut freylekh zayn, Kumt un shmekt mit undz di frishe luft gants fayn, Nor af simkhes trefn zikh mir, Mazl tov a gutn tog tsu dir. Nor af simkhes trefn zikh mir, Mazl tov a gutn tog tsu dir. Lomir tantsn un gut freylekh zayn 12
Di Yam Gazlonim
Kumt un shmekt mit undz di luft gants fa-ayn Mazl tov mayn fraynt a gutn tog tsu dir! KHAYE: S'iz take a sheyn shtikl erd do! Ober vu zaynen mir? YEHUDIS: Ikh veys beemes nisht. Un ikh veys nit vu der tate iz. Es ken zayn az er iz azoy farblondzhet gevorn az er ken undz nit gefinen. DEVOYRE. Zorg zikh nit, shvester - er vet bald zayn do. Dervayle, vil ikh zikh a bisl opkiln. YEHUDIS: Nu, azoy vi mir zaynen do aleyn, lomir zikh oyston di shikh un zikh geyen ayntunken in yam. They prepare to carry, out the suggestion. They have all taken off one shoe, when FAYVL comes forward out of hiding. #6 RECITATIVE – FAYVL AND MEYDLAKH FAYVL: (recitative) Meydlekh, shtelt zikh op! KHAYE steps forward and bravely holds out her arms as if to protect the MEYDLAKH KHAYE: Ver bistu? Vos vilstu fun undz? (All hopping.) FAYVL: Ikh bin a yam gazlen! MEYDLAKH: (recoiling, hopping)
A gazlen! Gotenyu!!
FAYVL: Ober hot nit kayn moyre. Hayntikn ovnt vel ikh zikh opzogn fun mayn shreklekher arbet. Un deriber bet ikh aykh ir zolt mir helfn zayn an erlikher, orntlekher mentsh. YEHUDIS: Rakhmones hobn mir! KHAYE: Er iz a sheynkayt! MEYDLAKH: Rakhmones hobn mir -- er iz a sheynkayt!! #7 SONG – FAYVL. FAYVL:
Avu iz do a meydl sheyn Vos hot oyf mir a kap rakhmones, Un ken brengen tsu mir aleyn Ir gut harts un ir nemones. Tsi zayt ir gut vi ir zayt sheyn? Dos ken men zen s'iz nit kayn frage, Oy helft mir, lozt mikh nit aleyn, 13
Di Yam Gazlonim
Un ratevet mikh fun mayn lage, Fun mayn troyriker lage. Oy ratevet un helft mir aroys Fun mayn umgliklikher un shverer lage. MEYDLAKH: Es iz - nito kayn meydl sheyn Vos hot oyf dir a kap rakhmones, Un ken brengen tsu dir aleyn Ir gut harts un ir nemones. FAYVL:
Gefint zikh do a meydl fayn Vos hot a zeyer mies ponim, Un keyn mol vet kayn kale zayn (aside) Zol dos trefn undzere sonim! Oyb du bist do - zog ikh tsu dir Az ikh ken zayn far dir a khosn, Oyb du vest kumen gikh tsu mir, Iz mayn harts ofen nit farshlosn Mayn harts geyt oys nokh dir. Oyb du vest kumen gikh tsu mir Bist nisht mies tsu mir, ikh lib dikh!
MEYDLAKH: Es iz nito kayn meydl fayn Vos hot a zeyer mies ponim, Un keyn mol vet kayn kale zayn. Zol dos trefn undzere sonim! FAYVL: (in despair) Nisht kayn eyne? MEYDLAKH: Neyn, nisht kayn eyne! FAYVL: Nisht kayn eyne? MEYDLAKH: Neyn, neyn! MALKE enters. MALKE: Yo, yo, 'S'do eyne!! MEYDLAKH: Oy, s'iz Malke! MALKE: Yo, s'iz Malke! #8 AIR – MALKE AND SHEYNE MEYDLAKH MALKE:
Umgliklekher! Du host geblondzhet fun veg, Ker zikh um ts’rik, Do ligt dayn glik, 14
Di Yam Gazlonim
Umgliklekher man! Umgliklekher! Oyb mayn shtarke libe ken zayn, Laykhtkayt far dir, Kum dan mit mir, Mayn harts vel ikh gebn tsu dir. Khotch ikh veys bist nit kayn gevir. MEYDLAKH: Ir harts git zi dir, Gey avek fun undz, gey shoyn mit ir! #9 RECITATIVE – FAYVL Shteyt - bald kumen vilde mener, Un - zey hobn shlekhte plener, S'iz far aykh a shrek. Shreklekhe gazlonim kumen, Loyfn zey di biksen brumen, Meydlekh, gikh - avek! MEYDLAKH: Oy - a brokh tsu vilde mener, Oy - a klog tsu shlekhte plener, S'iz far undz a shrek. Shreklekhe gazlonim kumen, Loyfn zey di biksen brumen, Meydlekh gikh aDuring this chorus the GOZLONIM have entered stealthily, and formed in a semicircle behind the MEYDLAKH: As the MEYDLAKH move to go off, each GOZLONIM seizes a MEYDL. DER GROYSE GAZLEN seizes YEHUDIS and DEVOYRE, SHMUEL seizes KHAYE. MEYDLAKH: Tsu shpet GAZLONIM: Ha, ha! MEYDLAKH: Tsu shpet GAZLONIM: Ho, ho! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho, ho! ENSEMBLE. (GAZLONIM pass in front of MEYDLAKH:) GAZLONIM
(MEYDLAKH pass in front of GAZLONIM.) MEYDLAKH.
S'iz a goldene gelegnhayt, Aykh tsu heyretn in guter tsayt, Lomir ale tsu der khupe geyn Kumt gazlonim lomir zikh ale freyen, Mir veln tantsn un shtark freylekh zayn, Trinkn bronfn, shnaps un gutn vayn, Shpilt klezmorim s'iz a simkhe haynt Far di gazlonim un zeyere gute fraynt!
Mir zaynen moykhl di gelegnhayt, Aykh tsu heyretn - mir hobn tsayt, Un mir viln nit tsu der khupe geyn Mit gazlonim un mit zey tsu freyen, Zolt ir tantsn un shtark freylekh zayn, Trinkn bronfn, shnaps un gutn vayn, S'iz far undz gor nit kayn simkhe haynt Vayl mir hobn piratn zeyer faynt!
15
Di Yam Gazlonim Shpilt klezmorim s'iz a simkhe haynt, Di gazlonim hobn gute fraynt, Shpilt klezmorim, klezmorim, klezmorim s'iz a simkhe haynt, S'iz a simkhe haynt!
Geyt klezmorim, nit kayn simkhe haynt,
Di gazlonim hobn mir shtark faynt, Geyt klezmorim, klezmorim, klezmorim, s'nit kayn simkhe haynt, Gor kayn simkhe haynt!
#10 RECITATIVE – MALKE (coming forward) Vart, khayes! Eyder di shlekhte piratn kumen undz farkhapn un khasene hobn mit undz, zayt visn az ir shtelt zikh ayn dos lebn. Undzer tate iz a Groyser General! SHMUEL: (cowed) Oy vey iz mir, vos zoln mir itst ton, ir tate iz der Groyser General! MEYDLAKH: Yo, yo. er iz a Groyser General! The GROYSER GENERAL has entered unnoticed, on rock.
GROYSER GENERAL: Yo, yo, ikh bin a Groyser General! SHMUEL: Er iz dokh a Groyser General! ALL: Er iz! Hurrah far der Groyser General! GROYSER GENERAL: Un es iz, es iz a fayne zakh tsu zayn a Groyser General! ALL: Es iz hoorah far dem groysn general, hoorah far dem groysn general! #11 SONG – MAJOR-GROYSER GENERAL GROYSER GENERAL: Ikh bin der Groyser General un ikh bin oykh a guter yid, Ikh gey oysrekhnen yetst mayne ale mayles in a yidish lid, Ikh hob a klugn kop un ikh farshtey Einstein's teyoriye Ikh ken dertseyln ales fun der gantser velt historiye. Kh'bin zeyer gut bakant mit ale mayses fun de Maupassant, Ikh tants, un zing, un makh a shpas - ikh bin a mentsh mit groys talant, Ikh ken gut bakn leykekh un ikh veys fun fotografia(thinking of a rhyme:)-"afia","rafia","shmafia"-A-HA! Ikh ken gut shisn un hob nit kin moyre far der Mafia! ALL: Er ken gut shisn un er hot nit moyre far der Mafia!, etc. GROYSER GENERAL: Ikh lern gut Gemorah un mit Toyre bin ikh gut bakant, Un alemol bay tog un nakht halt ikh dem sider in der hant, In kurtzn zogn vil ikh aykh un ikh farendik shoyn mayn lid. Ikh bin a Groyser General un ikh bin oykh a guter Yid! 16
Di Yam Gazlonim
ALL: In kurtzn zogn vet er undz un er farendikt shoyn zayn lid Er iz a Groyser General un er iz oykh a guter yid! GROYSER GENERAL: Ikh bin a talmid khokhim un an opera zinger bin ikh oykh, Dem "Barber fun Seville" ken ikh gut zingen mit mayn shtime hoykh, A khale ken ikh bakn un a lokshn kugl makh ikh fayn, Ikh makh a kiddish erev Shabos un gey glaykh in shul arayn. In shul ken ikh gut davenen un leynen toyre ken ikh oykh, Un hiner zup mit kneydlakh es ikh biz es tut mir vey der boykh, Ikh kokh a Purim tsimes un makh latkes yedn Khanike (thinking of a rhyme)-"anike","lanike","panike", A-HA! Kh'ken tantsn gut a "hora" un ikh shpil af der "harmonica". ALL: Er tantst gants gut a "hora" un er shpilt af der "harmonica", etc. GROYSER GENERAL: A Galitzyaner bin ikh nit - ikh kum fun "Lithuania", Un zeyer shnel vel ikh yetst zingen Lebedeff's "Rumania", (Sings a little of "Rumania") In kurtzn zogn vil ikh aykh un ikh farendik shoyn mayn lid, Ikh bin a Groyser General un ikh bin oykh a guter Yid! ALL: In kurtzn zogn vil er zogn undz Yetst ven er endig of zayn lid, Er iz a Groyser General un er iz oykh a guter Yid! GROYSER GENERAL: Un itst az ikh hob zikh shoyn forgeshtelt, vil ikh visn vos es tut zikh do! KHAYE: Oy, tate – mir – SHMUEL: (interrupting her) Hot kayn farible nit, ikh vel alts ding klor makhn in tsvey verter: mir viln khasene hobn mit ayere tekhter. GROYSER GENERAL: Oy a brokh!! MEYDLAKH: (shouting) Tate, tate rateve undz! Mir viln nit khasene hobn mit zey! Zey zaynen DI YAM GAZLONIM! GROYSER GENERAL: (in desperation) Vart tsu a vayle! Halt zikh ayn!Oy, vos zol ikh ton?! (Aside) Aha! Ikh hob a plan! (To pirates) Zogt mir, host amol gefilt dem tam fun zayn a yosem? GAZLONIM: (disgusted) Oy - vider amol !!
17
Di Yam Gazlonim
GROYSER GENERAL: (tearfully) Hot a bisl rakhmones af mir mayne gute mentshn. Ikh bin nebekh an oremer, elnter* yosem. Dos zaynen mayne kinder un zey zaynen alts vos ikh farmog af der velt. Oyb ir nemt zey avek fun mir blayb ikh mit gornit.4 GAZLONIM: (weep loudly) GROYSER GAZLEN: (crying) Oy, es rayst mir baym harts! #12 FINALE – ACT I GROYSER GENERAL:
Hertuf, gazlonim lozt mir op, Es tut mir shtark vey der kop, Rakhmones bet ikh aykh - b'sholem, Ikh bin a yosem, un orem.
GROYSER GAZLEN: and SHMUEL: A yosem, un orem? GROYSER GENERAL: A yosem, un orem! GAZLONIM:
Oy vey - a yosem, un orem!
GROYSER GENERAL: Di meydlekh vos ir zet zaynen dokh alts vos ikh farmog! GAZLONIM:
Oy, vey'z mir!
GROYSER GENERAL: Nemt zey avek fun mir blayb ikh aleyn - oy s'iz a klog! GAZLONIM:
Oy, vey'z mir!
GROYSER GENERAL:
Rakhmones bet ikh bay aykh, Nemt zey nit fun mir azoy gikh Zey shteln zikh oyf di kni, (meydelekh kneel) (offering to shake hands) Mayn hant tsu aykh ikh tsi, Az okh un vey tsu mir ikh bin an umitiker yoseml!
GAZLONIM: (sobbing)
Oy, vey'z mir! Zey shteln zikh oyf di kni, Mir geyen in der fri Tsurik tsu di gazlones on dem umitikn yoseml.
GROYSER GAZLEN: and SHMUEL: dem yoseml Zey shteln zikh oyf di kni, etc.
4
Elnt = "lonely; forlorn"
18
Di Yam Gazlonim
ENSEMBLE. GROYSER GENERAL: (aside) Ikh dertseyl a geferlekhe mayse, S'iz nit mer vi a lign, a vayse, Di tekhter voltn zey shoyn ariber gefirt afn yam ergets gor vayt. Me ken trakhtn in elegant loshn Az der emes in gantsn farloshn Lomir zayn gor ufrikhtik, ikh dertseyl di gazlonim a gantse geferlekhe mayse!
GAZLONIM: (aside) GAZLONIM: (aside) Er dertseylt a geferlekhe mayse, Un er meynt s'iz a lign, a vayse, Di tekhter voltn zey shoyn aribergefirt afn yam ergets gor vayt. Me ken trakhtn in elegant loshn Az der emes in gantsn farloshn Nor tsu zayn gor ufrikhtig der general dertseylt undz a gantse geferlekhe mayse!
GROYSER GAZLEN: Fun tsayt tsu tsayt a ganef rut zikh op fun zayn ganeyve, Er hot amol rakhmones un er tut amol a teyve, Mir shlogn zikh a sakh un shtendik hobn mir kharote Un undzer yidishkayt torn mir nit varfn in der blote. ALL: (kneeling) Shray, hoykh un klor, far Yidishkayt!! Mit shtolts in harts zol klingen vayt! Shray ale “am yisroel khay”! Zol undzer folk lang lebn shtark un fray!! (All rise.) GROYSER GAZLEN: Geyt, mayn tayerer General. Geyt gezunterheyt. Ir megt fray avek! Ir zayt nebekh a geshtrofter yosim un derfar veln undzere gezetsn aykh shitsn. Geyt shoyn, geyt mayn guter general. Ir zolt mer nit visn fun kayn shlekhts! ALL:
Hoorah!! ENSEMBLE
MEYDLAKH Mir zaynen moykhl di gelegnhayt, Zey tsu heyretn - mir hobn tsayt, Un mir viln nit tsu der khupe geyn Mit gazlonim un mit zey zikh freyen, Un keyn khasene vet haynt nit zayn, Nisht kayn esnvarg un nisht kayn vayn, Un klezmorim veln nisht shpiln haynt Vayl mir hobn gazlonim zeyer faynt!
GAZLONIM AND GENERAL
Zey /Mir farlozn di gelegnhayt, Aykh tsu nemen in a guter tsayt, Un zey / mir veln nit tsu der khupe geyn, Un zey / mir hobn nit mit vos zikh freyn,
Un keyn khasene vet haynt nit zayn, Nisht kayn esnvarg un nisht kayn vayn, Un klezmorim veln nit shpiln haynt Far di gazlonim un zeyere gute fraynt.
MEYDLAKH and GROYSER GENERAL go up rocks, while GOZLONIM indulge in a wild dance of delight on stage. The GROYSER GENERAL produces an Israeli flag, and the GROYSER GAZLEN, produces a black flag with skull and crossbones. Enter RIVKE, who makes a final appeal to FAYVL, who casts her from him. END OF ACT I 19
ACT II SCENE.–A ruined chapel by moonlight. Ruined Gothic windows at back. Der GROYSER GENERAL discovered seated pensively, surrounded by his daughters. #13 CHORUS OF MEYDELEKH Oy veyn nit ziser tate vish op di trern gikh, Di tekhter zaynen do un tate mir libn dikh, Mir nemen dikh arum tate mit libshaft groys, Vayl dayn geveyn rayst bay undz dos harts aroys. Enter MALKE. SOLO – MALKE: Oy tate farvos bistu of, azoy shpet in der nakht? Di zun iz arunter shoyn lang, un di livone lakht, Kum ze vi der himl iz shvarts, un oysgeshternt gants fayn, Un di luft iz gants kalt un es krikht glaykh in di beyner arayn. Oy tate farvos bistu of, ven s'iz azoy shpet in der nakht? MEYDELAKH.
Oy veyn nit ziser tate, etc. FAYVL enters.
GROYSER GENERAL: Oy! Mir iz zeyer umetik ofn hartsn. Ikh vel zikh keyn mol nit moykhl zayn. FAYVL: Vos iz mit dir? Vos far a shlekhts hostu geton? GROYSER GENERAL: Ikh hob gezogt a lign. Ikh hob dertseylt di gazlonim a mayse az ikh bin a yosim, un, Got zol mir helfn, ikh bin nisht kayn yosim! Ikh hob gezogt a groysn, miesn lign! FAYVL: Ober general, oyb ir volt nisht gezogt dem lign voltn zey avek gelofn tsum noenstn rov khasene tsu hobn mit ayere tekhter! GROYSER GENERAL: A sheynem dank aykh, Fayvl, far ayere treystverter. Ober ikh muz dir zogn az ikh fil zikh azoy shuldig tsulib dem vos ikh hob geton, az ikh volt avekgelofn glaykh un dertseylt di narishe piratn di gantse mayse, ven ikh volt nit kin moyre gehat far dem vos vet aroyskumen derfun. 20
FAYVL: General, hot nit kayn moyre. Ikh bin greyt af zey un mayne khaverim, di shtetl politsey, zaynen oykh greyt. Mir veln onfaln af di piratn elf azeyger. Ikh hob bedeye5 zikh tsu shlogn a groysn "al khet" far di ale yorn vos ikh bin geven mit zey. GROYSER GENERAL: Avu zaynen di politsey? FAYVL: Zey shteyen zaynen mobilizirt nit vayt fun danen. Zey vartn nor af mayne bafeln. GROYSER GENERAL: Nu, breng zey aher. Ikh vil zikh bakenen mit zey. FAYVL: (pointing) Ot kumen zey! Enter POLITSEY, marching in single file. They form in line, facing audience. #14 SONG – SERZHANT, WITH POLITSEY AND MEYDLEKH: SERZHANT: Ven der soyne vayzt di shverd, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Zol er geyn glaykh in d'rerd, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Ven er strashet undz mit teyt, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Zaynen mir far im nisht greyt, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Un mir loyfn bald avek, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Vayl mir zaynen ful mit shrek, POLITSEY:
Tarantara!
SERZHANT: Loyfn mir, di politsey, Gikh un vayt avek fun zey Gikh un vayt avek fun zey ALL:
Tarantara! tarantara!, etc.
MALKE:
Geyt mayne heldn, geyt tsu di sonim,
5
Hob bedeye = "intend"
21
Geyt tsu dem toyt mit kurazh in a blutiker shlakht. Ir vet barimt vern, shlogt di gazlonim, Shlogt zey bay tog un oykhet bay nakht. Geyt tsum toyt, s'iz nit kayn gelekhter, Shtarbt un ale yidishe tekhter, Mit zeyre trern banetsn ayer keyver Geyt mayne heldn, tut ayer flikht! MEYDLAKH: Geyt mayne heldn tut ayer flikht! SERZHANT, with POLITSEY: SERZHANT: S'iz far mir yetst gut bakant, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Az ikh shlog zikh kop in vant, POLITSEY:
Tarantara!
SERZHANT: Un es tsitert mir in harts, POLITSEY:
Tarantara! tarantara!
SERZHANT: Vayl mayn tsukunft iz gor shvarts, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Az ikh rays fun zikh di hoyt Ven ikh trakht fun blut un toyt, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Vayl far mir s'iz gut bakant Az ikh shlog zikh kop in vant POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! tarantara! YEHUDIS:
Geyt makht a sof tsu undzere sonim, Vel ikh shoyn hobn a freylekhn ponim. Mir vintshn aykh nitsokhn in shlakhtfeld6 Zoln di sonim geyn in d'rerd!
MEYDLAKH: Di gazlonim zaynen shlekhte, Un mir zaynen gute tekhter, S'iz far zey nit kayn gelekhter, Kayn rakhmones hobn mir.
6
Mir vintshn aykh nitsokhn in shlakhtfeld = "victory in the battlefield"
22
SERZHANT: Oy mir tsitern far shrek, Nor mir loyfn nit avek, Yo mir tsitern un geyen, Vayl in hartsn ligt a shteyn. Zikh baklogn helft undz nit, Khotch in hartsn git a shnit, Vayl s'iz mir itst gut bakant Az ikh shlog zikh kop in vant. POLITSEY: Vayl s'iz im dokh gut bakant, Az er shlogt zikh kop in vant. Gut bakant! Kop in vant! Gut bakant! ENSEMBLE. CHORUS OF ALL BUT POLITSEY Geyt mayne heldn, geyt tsu di sonim,, etc
CHORUS OF POLITSEY: Ven der soyne vayzt di shverd, etc.
GROYSER GENERAL: Avek, avek! POLITSEY: (without moving) Yo, yo - mir geyen! GROYSER GENERAL: Derharget zey! POLITSEY: Tarantara! GROYSER GENERAL: Dos iz ayer tsvek! POLITSEY: Tarantara! GROYSER GENERAL: Geyt gikher avek! POLITSEY: Yo, yo mir geyen! MEYDLAKH: Geyt shlogt dem soyne, gikh! GROYSER GENERAL: Ober ir geyt nit! POLITSEY: Mir geyen, mir geyen MEYDLAKH: Geyt shlogt dem soyne, gikh! GROYSER GENERAL: Oyf Moshiakh vart ir?? ALL: Geyt shlogt dem soyne gikh, Exeunt POLITSEY. MALKE tears herself from FAYVL and exit, followed by her sisters, consoling her. The GROYSER GENERAL and others follow. FAYVL remains alone. GROYSER GAZLEN and RIVKE appear, armed. 23
FAYVL: Oy a glik, a simkhe! Ikh vel itst aroysgeyn af der velt un poter vern fun mayn shem vi a pirat! GROYSER GAZLEN: Fayvl! (Covering him with pistol.) FAYVL: (startled) Gotenyu liber! Vi vagstu zikh mir tsu kumen antkegn! du veyst az ikh hob bashlosn dir tsu derhargenen! RIVKE: (Covering him with pistol.) Oy Fayvl hob a bisl rakhmones! Mir hobn epes vikhtiks dir tsu dertseyln. Vart tsu a bisl un her zikh ayn tsu dem vos mir veln dir zogn. FAYVL: Nu, a guter yid hot alemol rakhmones. Nu redt! Lomir hern! KING and RIVKE hold a pistol to each ear.
#15 TRIO – RIVKE, GROYSER GAZLEN, AND FAYVL. RIVKE:
Ven du host undz ibergelozt, Mir hobn zikh gut oysgeveynt, Du host geven gut ongeblozt Mir hobn shtark gebenkt. Di trern hobn zikh gerunen, Ven mir hobn dos oysgefunen, Ven mit amol hot emitser bamerkt a mishugas.
FAYVL: A mishugas? RIVKE: (laughing) A mishugas, an emesdike mishugas. Yo, Fayvl, dos iz nit kayn shpas - es iz a groyse mishugas! ALL: a mishugas, a mishugas, etc. GROYSER GAZLEN: Mir veysn Fayvl az du lakhst Ven emetster dertseylt a vits, Un alemol du zitst un trakhtst Fun vertershpiln sharf. Un yetst vest zikh mekhaye zayn Ven mir dertseyln dir a sod, Ikh bet dikh, Fayvl, her zikh tsu tsu undzer mishugas. FAYVL: (interested)
A mishugas?
GROYSER GAZLEN: (laughing) A mishugas, an emesdike mishugas. Yo, Fayvl, dos iz nit kayn shpas es iz a groyse mishugas! 24
ALL: A mishugas, a mishugas, etc. CHANT – GROYSER GAZLEN: Mit yorn tsurik hot eyner a kluger mentsh oysgeklert a mishugas, Ikh veys nit oyb er iz geven ernst oder er hot dos gemeynt far a shpas, Er hot bashlosn az far aza proste khoydesh vi februar akht un tsvantsik teg zaynen genug,Ober yeder fir yor muzn mir tsuleygn nokh a tog – iz dos nit klug?Tsum umglik bistu yetst (zol dos nor trefn undzere sonim) in a modne lage, Geborn bistu gevorn in nayn un tsvantsiktn februar, an iber yor, s’iz nit kayn frage, az hagam du host take gelebt eyn un tsvantsik yor in matematishe yorn,In astronomishe termin bistu nebekh nor mit finf yor tsurik geborn!! RIVKE: and GROYSER GAZLEN: Ha! ha! ha! ha! Ho! ho! ho! ho! FAYVL: Eyns, tsvey, dray fir!... (counting on fingers) Yo! yo! der khezhbn iz gerekht bay aykh! ALL: Ha! ha! ha! ho! ho! ho! ho! FAYVL: (more amused than any) Oy s'iz a modne mishugas, Ikh hob gemeynt az s'iz a shpas, Nor ven ikh rekhn oyf di finger eyn un tsvantskik yor bin ikh, Un yetst tsulib dem iber-yor, un yetst tsulib dem iber-yor - (counts on fingers) Ikh bin nisht mer vi FINF YOR ALT!! RIVKE and GROYSER GAZLEN: Er iz nisht mer vi FINF YOR ALT!! Ha! ha! ha! ALL: A mishugas, a mishugas, a groyser, modne mishugas, Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!, etc. RIVKE and GROYSER GAZLEN throw themselves back on seats, exhausted with laughter. GROYSER GAZLEN : Men hot dikh undz gegebn vi a lernyingl-FAYVL: (interruptiong) Nisht mer vi eyn un tsvantik yor. GROYSER GAZLEN: (rises) Neyn mayn tayerer Fayvele - du makhst a toes. Undzer opmakh iz geven az du zolst blaybn mit undz biz dayn eyn un tsvantsikstn geboyrntog. Ober geboyrn gevorn bistu in an iber yor - Februar dem nayn un tsvantsikstn! Derfar vestu nisht dergraykhn dayn eyn un tsvantsikstn geboyrntog bizn yor 2040! FAYVL: Du makhst a shpas. GROYSER GAZLEN: Dos iz nisht kayn shpas, Fayvl. Du muzt farshteyn az du bist nokh eyner fun undz. GROYSER GAZLEN: Mayn khaver, ikh bin do gekumen nor mit eyn zakh in zinen - dikh tsu dermonen az a vort iz a vort.
25
FAYVL: (after a pause) Mayn flikht iz mir gants klor. Ikh bin an onshtendiker mentsh un ikh veys vos ikh darf ton.. GROYSER GAZLEN: Gut gezogt! Vider bistu eyner fun undz. FAYVL: Geyt un ikh vel aykh nokhgeyn. (suddenly) Oy, gevalt! RIVKE and GROYSER GAZLEN: Yo, yo. Vos? Vos?? FAYVL: Ir hot dem Groysn General, mayn Malke’s tate, gelozt fray geyn ven er hot aykh dertseylt a mayse az er iz a yosim. GROYSER GAZLEN: (suddenly confused) Eh, eh... (remembering) Yo, yo, itst gedenk ikh. FAYVL: Ikh vil nit farratn mayn Malke's tate - ober es iz mayn khoyv aykh tsu zogn az er iz nisht kayn yosim. RIVKE and GROYSER GAZLEN: Ha?? Vos zogstu?! FAYVL: Un vos nokh, er iz keynmol nisht geven kayn yosim! GROYSER GAZLEN: Heyst es, az kedey zikh tsu rateven, hot der paskudnyak zikh forgeshtelt vi a yosim. Aza ligner! Aza blofer! Mir veln shoyn in im nemen di rikhtike nekome, un du vest mit undz kumen dos oysfirn! #16 TRIO. GROYSER GAZLEN and RIVKE Hooray, hooray, - git a geshrey, Er geyt mit undz tsu shlogn politsey, un geyn mit Nisht do gedakht,
FAYVL. Oy vey, oy vey, - eyder ikh shtarb, Darf ikh shoyn ton mayn flikht
Der "boychik" kumt mit undz, hooray, hooray!
zey, Dos harts iz shver,Dos kop tut vey, A gazlen muz ikh zayn - oy vey, oy vey!
GROYSER GAZLEN: Zayn falshkayt brengt im itst a groyse shtrof, Der oysvorf hot undz opgeton a "blof", A durkhgetribener7, es dakht zikh im A geferlekhn toyt iz vos ikh bashtim! RIVKE AND FAYVL: Yo, yo, dos iz vos ikh bashtim! ALL: Yo, yo, dos iz vos ikh bashtim! RIVKE: Haynt af der nakht
7
Durkhgetribn = "cunning, crafty"
26
GROYSER GAZLEN: Oder in dem frimorgn, FAYVL: Der general, RIVKE: Un zayne tekhter veln zorgn, GROYSER GAZLEN: Der paskudnyak, – RIVKE: Zol er vern geshvoln, – FAYVL: Far zayn falshkayt, – GROYSER GAZLEN: Vet er tayer batsoln. ALL: Haynt af der nakht... Hooray, etc. Exeunt GROYSER GAZLEN and RIVKE. Enter MALKE. MALKE: Fayvl, es freyt undz tsu visn az haynt baynakht geystu zikh shlogn antkegn di piratn. FAYVL: Malke, es tut mir bang dir dos tsu zogn, ober ikh gey zikh shlogn nit antkegn nor tsuzamen mit di piratn. MALKE: Vos meynstu? FAYVL: Der tsuzog iz geven az ikh zol farblaybn mit di piratn biz mayn eyn un tsvantsikstn geboyrntog. MALKE: Ober du bist dokh yetst eyn un tsvantsik yor alt. FAYVL: Neyn, mayn tayere Malke. Ikh hob oysgefunen az ikh bin geboyrn gevorn in an iberyor un der geboyrntog vet nit zayn biz dem yor 2040! MALKE: Oy a brokh! S'iz mir nit gut! FAYVL: Zay mir gezunt, Malke. Ikh darf yetst geyn.( starts to leave) MALKE: Neyn, neyn mayn tayerer Fayvl!
#17 DUET. – MALKE AND FAYVL. MALKE:
Shtey, Fayvl, shtey!! Loyf nit avek tsu gikh, Du veyst az ikh lib dikh Du veyst az ikh lib dikh Stay, Fayvl, stay! du bist mayn gantse velt, 27
FAYVL:
Gey, Malke, gey! Tsurik tsum tatn gey, Un her nit mayn geshrey vayl ikh muz geyn mit zey, Gey, Malke, gey.
MALKE:
Fayvl, bist azoy sheyn Du bist di velt far mir, Ikh lib nor dikh aleyn Ikh darf nit keyn gvir. Du geyst yetst vayt avek, Vu di velt hot nor an ek, Ikh fil zikh troyerik Ikh lib dikh Fayvele - Tra, la, la, la, Tra, la, la, la Ikh lib dikh Fayvele! - Tra, la, la, Tra-la, Tra-la!
FAYVL:
Malke ikh gey tsurik Tsu di gazlonim haynt, Muz ikh dokh ton mayn flikht Khotch ikh hob zey faynt. Un ven du vest zayn mayn Mir veln gliklekh zayn In dray un zekhtsik yor Hob geduld mayn Malkele - Tra, la, la, la, Tra, la, la, la Hob geduld mayn Malkele! - Tra, la, la, Tra-la, Tra-la!
FAYVL: gleybn!,
Inem yor 2040 vel ikh zayn fray un kh'vel dan tsurik kumen, megst mir
MALKE:
S'iz azoy lang!
BOTH:
Di libe brent, di luft iz fray, Mir zaynen shtark farlibt mit freyd un simkhe. Ikh/Er shver az ikh vel zayn getray Biz mir veln vern khosn-kale. FAYVL rushes to window and leaps out.
MALKE: (almost fainting) Fayvl iz bahartst un ikh muz oykh zayn bahartst. (beckoning) Politsey - kumt aher! Enter POLITSEY, marching in single file. SERZHANT: Ven der soyne vayzt di shverd, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Zol er geyn glaykh in d'rerd, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Ven er strashet undz mit teyt, 28
POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Zaynen mir far im nisht greyt, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Un mir loyfn bald avek, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara! SERZHANT: Vayl mir zaynen ful mit shrek, POLITSEY: Tarantara! SERZHANT: Loyfn mir di politsey Gikh un vartn mir af zey, POLITSEY: Tarantara! tarantara!, etc. MALKE: Serzhant - Fayvl geyt nisht. Ir vet muzn bahershn8 di piratn on Fayvlen. SERZHANT: On Fayvlen! - Farvos?! MALKE: Fayvl iz, nebekh, vider gevorn a pirat! SERZHANT: Dos iz nit tsu gleybn! Shemen zol er zikh in vaytn haldz! MALKE: Neyn--vos redt ir! Dos vos er hot geton iz nit kin shande. Farkert, er hot nor geton zayn flikht. Er iz an erlikher mentsh - der erlikhster vos af der velt. Mir muzn ale ton unzer flikht ikh mayne un ir ayere! Exit MALKE. SERZHANT: Mir veln ton dos vos mir darfn. Mir tuen alemol dos vos mir darfn... afile ven s'iz be’emes shver. #18 SONG – SERZHANT and POLITSEY SERZHANT: Ven a ganef rut zikh op fun di ganeyves – POLITSEY: di ganeyves SERZHANT: Un der gazlen leygt zayn meser shoyn avek– POLITSEY: shoyn avek
8
bahershn = "subdue"
29
SERZHANT: Mitzves tuen zey far mentshn - oykhet teyves, POLITSEY: groyse zek SERZHANT: Un tsedoke gebn zey in groyse zek – POLITSEY: groyse zek SERZHANT: Ven Purim kumt zey brengen shalakhmones – POLITSEY: shalakhmones, SERZHANT: Tsu shkheynim un tsu ale gute fraynd – POLITSEY: gute fraynd SERZHANT: Un tsu oreme mentshn brengn zey matones – POLITSEY: tayere matones SERZHANT: Fundestvegn hobn zey undz gor faynt! POLITSEY: Ah, Zogn mir tsu undzere ale gute fraynd, gute fraynd, Di gazlonim hobn mir dokh zeyer faynt, zeyer faynt. SERZHANT: Ven der roshe'z fartig shlogn alte bobes– POLITSEY: alte bobes SERZHANT: Un er loyft avek tsum voynung af zayn ferd– POLITSEY: af zayn ferd SERZHANT: Geyt un koyft er naye kleyder far a lobes– POLITSEY: far a lobes, SERZHANT: Dan er valgert zikh mit blumen af der erd– POLITSEY: af der erd. SERZHANT: Es gefelt undz nit tsu ton kayn shlekhts tsu keynem – POLITSEY: shlekhts tsu keynem SERZHANT: Zey ayn tsu zetsn iz nit amuzant – POLITSEY: amuzant SERZHANT: Tsu dertseyln es bekitser, alts in eynem – 30
POLITSEY: alts in eynem SERZHANT: Yo, s'iz take shver tsu zayn a politsyant! POLITSEY: Mentshn ayn tsu zetsn z'gornit amuzant, amuzant, Yo, s'iz take shver tsu zayn a politsyant, polits yant!. Chorus of GAZLONIM without, in the distance. SERZHANT: (cupping his ears) Zol zayn sha! S'do epes koyles fun vaytns! (looke out into distance) Ot kumen di gazlonim! Kumt! Gikh! Lomir zikh bahaltn! POLITSEY conceal themselves. As they do so, the GAZLONIM are seen appearing at ruined windows. They enter cautiously, and come down stage. SHMUEL is laden with burglarious tools and pistols, etc. #19 CHORUS – PIRATES (very loud) Es zol zayn sha, Mir krikhn shtilerheyt, Di shverd iz sharf, Mir zaynen ale greyt, Makht nisht kayn klang Zayt ale shtil un shvaygt, Ay'r yedn trit ken men gut hern vayt! POLITSEY: (pianissimo)
Tarantara, tarantara!
GAZLONIM: Kumt khaverim fun yam, Heldishe gazlonim - Toyt tsu undz’re sonim, Makht nit kayn ta-ra-ram, Tuml hot dokh nit kayn tam. Kumt khaverim fun yam, Heldishe gazlonim - Toyt tsu undz’re sonim, Makht nit kayn ta-ra-ra-am Tuml hot dokh nit kayn tam. POLITSEY: (pianissimo)
Tarantara, tarantara!
SHMUEL: (distributing implements to various members of the gang) Ot iz a sharfe zeg9, Un a hantiker shroyfn-tsier10, A shta-arker hammer - tsu gebn a klap, Nem dayne shvebelekh11, 9
Zeg = "saw"
10
Shroyfn-tsier = "screw driver"
11
Shvebelekh = "matches"
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Un a kleynem meserl12, Ot iz a fayl13, Un a shlisl kumt oykh tsu nutz14. Enter KING, FAYVL and RIVKE. GAZLONIM: (fortissimo) Es zol zayn sha, etc. POLITSEY: (pianissimo) Tarantara! tarantara! RECITATIVE. GROYSER GAZLEN:
Sha, shtil, zol zayn sha, a lomp in fentster shaynt. Der Groyser General kumt - bahalt zikh fraynt!
GAZLONIM: Yo, yo, der Groyser General kumt! Pirates conceal themselves. Exeunt KING, FAYVL, SHMUEL, and RIVKE. POLITSEY: Yo, yo, der Groyser General kumt! GROYSER GENERAL: (entering in dressing-gown, carrying a light) Yo, yo, der Groyser General kumt... GROYSER GENERAL: Dos harts bay mir iz zeyer shver; mayn falshkayt tut mir vey, Tsumakhn ken ikh nit keyn oyg; ikh varf zikh un ikh drey. Der lign vos ikh hob gezogt ligt afn kop shoyn lang, Un beys ikh katche zikh in bet, meyn ikh ikh her a klang. GAZLONIM: Er meynt er hert a klang - (very loud) ha! ha! GROYSER GENERAL cups his ear and looks around as if trying to detect a sound. He's finally satisfied that "all is still". #20 FINALE ACT II GROYSER GENERAL: (sings the nightnare song from IOLANTHE) Ven ikh leyg zikh in bet in der nakht zeyer shpet un es krikht mir a tsore in kop arayn, Un ikh lig shtilerheyt vayl der kop iz fardreyt un der oyskuk far mir iz nit azoy fayn. Az ikh heyb oyf dem kop falt der kishn arop un s'iz kalt vayl der fentster shteyt ofn, 12
Kleynem meserl = "small pocket knife"
13
Fayl = "file"
14
"A key comes in handy too"
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Un dos betgevant rayst vayl a groyse vants bayst shray ikh, "Ziser Got, lomikh shoyn shlofn!" Oy s'iz yetst zeyer shpet un ikh drey zikh in bet un ikh ken nit gefinen kayn sholem, Un es brenen di oygn, ikh lig oysgetsoygn un s'kumt on a shreklikher kholem: Dan kholemt zikh mir az men efnt di tir un s’kumen arayn makhetonim, Varfn zey tsu mir gikh, zeyere farblotikte shikh, zol dos trefn tsu unzere sonim. Bald antloyf ikh fun zey (oy der kop tut mir vey!) un azoy loyf ikh shneler un shneler, Zits ikh shoyn bay a tish, es ikh hiner mit fish un dos hindl shpringt oyf funem teler! Loyf ikh vider avek, azoy groys iz mayn shrek ven dos hindl yogt mikh af a groysn ferd, Un dos ferd loyft mit mir zeyer shnel durkh der tir kh'fal arop oysge-tsoygn bald af der erd. Vart ikh dortn un blayb, un ikh ze shoyn mayn vayb vi zi ligt bay a top un zi kholemt, Bald shlept zi mir bay'm kop, varft mir arayn in dem top, un ikh ver shoyn dertrunken in tsholent. Fun dem top kh'fal aroys, s'do a galakh in hoyz un bald heybt er on makhn a brokhe, Plutsling efnt zikh di tir, s'kumen loyfn tsu mir mayne fraynt un mayn gantse mishpokhe. Shrayen zey, "Mazl tov!" vert der galakh a rov un er zogt tsu mir, "Hob nit kayn moyre, Du bist draytsn yor alt nem dem khumesh un halt es un leyen di gantse haftoyre." Un ven ikh heyb on leynen di mentshn zey veynen, "Far vos redstu Poylish?" baklogn zey, Mit a mol vakh ikh of fun umruikn shlof rayb zikh di oygn un shray oys, "Vos zogn zey"? Oy der kop tut mir vey, un ikh gib a geshrey, di hent zaynen mir kalt, ay der kop mayner shpalt! s'iz mir trukn dos moyl, un ikh shray "Shma Yisroyl"! ikh bin nas mit a shveys, un der kerper iz heys, in di oygn, oy! brent, un es tsitern di hent, un a flig flit arum, un der kishn iz krum, un ikh zog "Oy a klog!" vayl s'iz klor vi der tog az ikh bin nit in gantsn geshlofn. Shoyn di nakht iz farbay, fun mayn shlof bin ikh fray, oy di nakht iz tsu lang -- shoyn genug mayn gezang -danken Got az di oygn zaynen ofn! Enter the GENERAL’s daughters, led by MALKE, all in white peignoirs and night-caps, and carrying lighted candles. 33
MEYDLAKH: Oy vos iz dos, vos hot pasirt, Vos hot der tate yetst geton? Avu geyt er in mitn nakht Halb ongeton, halb oysgeton? Der tate iz a pinktlikher un pinktlikh ale mol geven, Un yede nakht shloft er glaykh ayn nit shpeter vi a zeyger tsen, Vos iz dos far a modne zakh, Vos hot der tate yetst geton? Vu geyt er azoy shpet bay nakht Halb ongeton, halb oysgeton? Enter KING, SHMUEL, and FAYVL. GROYSER GAZLEN: Foroys, mayne khaverim un khapt dem general dortn! Er is a toyter!! They seize the GENERAL. MEYDLAKH: Gazlonim, gazlonim oy vey'z mir! GAZLONIM: (springing up) Yo, di gazlonim zaynen mir! GROYSER GENERAL: Fayvl iz do! A freyd! A simkhe! Ratevet mir un fardint a mitzve! MALKE: Rateve, Fayvl! FAYVL: Tayere Malke, ikh ken dos nit ton khotsh ikh vil dir helfn. GAZLONIM: Dem emes zogt er - er ken dir nit helfn. GROYSER GAZLEN:
Dayn falsh vort tut vey un makht undz zeyer beyz. Nekome zise - iz vos me darf durkhfirn. Nem on mit harts - un zay a man un nit keyn moyz. Greyt zikh shoyn tsu - dayn toyt vet bald pasirn!
MALKE: (wildly) Shtarbn muz er, di minut, umgezamt15?!! MEYDLAKH: Oy vey'z mir! MALKE: Iz emitser faran - eyder er vert fardamt?!! MEYDLAKH: Oy vey'z mir! POLITSEY: (springing up) Mir zaynen do - mit shtekns greyt in hant. MEYDLAKH: Oy mazl! POLITSEY: Yetst veln ale zen az mir zaynen galant! MEYDLAKH: Hispayles! 15
Umgezamt = "forthwith"
34
A struggle ensues between GAZLONIM and POLITSEY, Eventually the POLITSEY are overcome and fall prostrate, the GAZLONIM standing over them with drawn swords. CHORUS GAZLONIM Mir hobn zey - yetst gut tseklapt Lign zey oysgetsoygn gants fayn, Gazlonim hot men nit farkhapt Yo Zey Zaynen nit farghapt!
POLITSEY Zey hobn zey - yetst gut tseklapt Lign mir oysgetsoygn gants fayn, Gazlonim hot men nit farkhapt Yo Zey Zaynen nit farghapt!
SERZHANT: (on his back) Ir zayt yetst di ziger, ober es vet nisht lang gedoyrn. GROYSER GAZLEN: "Es vet nisht lang gedoyrn?" Farvos nisht?? Efsher vilt ir mir dertseyln a bobe mayse az ir zayt y'soymim. S'vet aykh gornisht helfn. Mir farshteyen gants gut azelkhe shtik. SERZHANT: Neyn, mayn groyser gazlen - mir hobn a shenere mayse kedey ir zolt undz lozn geyn. Mir bafeln aykh aruntertsuvarfn ayere shverdnin nomen fun Avrom, Yitzkhak un Yakov. GROYSER GAZLEN: (baffled) Vos hot ir gezogt?! POLITSEY: Varft arunter di shverdn inin nomen fun Avrom, Yitzkhak un Yakov! GAZLONIM kneel, POLITSEY stand over them triumphantly. GROYSER GAZLEN: Mir lozn op yetst mit anove16, Un mir gebn di shverdn far a nedove. POLITSEY: Yo, yo di shverdn veln zayn a sheyne nedove! ALL: Yo, yo di shverdn veln zayn a sheyne nedove! POLITSEY, holding GAZLONIM by the collar, take out handkerchiefs and weep. GROYSER GENERAL: Kumt, politsey un nemt zey glaykh avek! Enter RIVKE. RIVKE:
Vart tsu! Un nemt zey nokh nit avek. Zey zaynen nit gazlonim, nit keyn proste. Zey zaynen ale rabonim gor farblondzhet!
ALL: Bney-toyre zaynen zey gor farblondzhet!
16
Anove = "humility"
35
GROYSER GENERAL: Es tut mir yetst a groyser ris in harts, A rebe's lebn tor nit zayn shvarts. I Ikh bet aykh eydle-layt zayt mir gezint, Heybt zikh yetst of - un tut dos gants geshvind. Kumt glaykh tsu mir, ikh hob af aykh rakhmones, Nemt mayne tekhter - un kert zikh op fun gazlones! FINALE. Umgliklekhe! Ir hot geblondzhet fun veg, Kert zikh um ts’rik, Do ligt ayer glik, Umgliklekhe layt. Umgliklekhe, Oyb undzer libe ken zayn, Laykhtkayt far aykh, Zaynen mir raykh, Mayn harts vel ikh gebn tsu aykh! ALL: Umgliklekhe!, etc. FIN.
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