What is Yerushalayim Shel Zahav about?

The Song: "Y-Rushelayim Schel Zahav" is a Hebrew tune, occassionally performed live and included at the end of "Demand" on the end of Hoist. (Alternate English spellings of the Hebrew words include Yerushalayim and Shel.) The literal translation is "Jeruselem, City of Gold". It was written by Naomi Schemer-Sapir (or Shemer-Saphir; Hebrew has its own alphabet), who was "commissioned by the Isreali government to write this song for the National Song Festival in May 1967 (several weeks before the Six Days War began.)" (reported Saul Wetheimer 5/11/94)

Its Author & Meaning: Amir Flesher posted (1/13/96) that Shemer-Sapir "has written hundreds of other lovley Hebrew songs. ... [The Six Days War was] a time during which the Eastern Section of the city was still in Jordanian hands. The first few versed express a deep love for and accomponying sorrow that Jerusalem was still divided. The last verse, which Shemer added after the war in 1967 expresses joy that the city is at last re-united. Although quite a wondefuly beautiful ballad along with most of Shemer's other tunes, this song actually sends quite a strong and considering current political happenings, controvorsial message. In addition, although Shemer does indeed write great songs, she is reputed to be a bit on the bitchy and ultra right wing side....she sued my Youth movement for publishing her songs without permision in our songbook which is not sold for any profit, but is only used when we get together and sing at camp ect...."

Here's a complete translation from Sean Pambianco (11/22/95):

The olive tree that stands in silence Upon the hills of time
To hear the voices of the city as bells of evening chime
The Shofar sounding from the temple To call the world to prayer
The Shepherd pauses in the valley And peace is everywhere
Jerusalem, Jerusalem Forever young, yet forever old
My heart will sing your songs of glory
Jerusalem, Jerusalem Oh, city with a heart of gold
My heart will sing your songs of glory

Another translation of the end of the chorus is 'If not for all of your songs, I am a violin', and a literal translation is "Am I not your songs' violin?"

Todd Ryan Tr Biderman posted (2/18/97) this translation by Rabbi Jack Gabriel: "There a few different translations to the song as it was obviously written in Hebrew. The section you referred to on Hoist goes reads as follows" (with some corrections by Rachel Habush 6/25/98):

hebrew:
avir harim tzalul kayayin
v'rai'ach oranim nisa b'ruach ha'arbayim
im kol pa'a-mo-nim

uv t'ardemat ilan va'evan
shvuya bachaloma
ha'ir asher bedad yoshevet uv' liba choma

yerushalayim shel zahav
v'shel n'choshot v'shel or
halo l'chol shirayich ani kinor

english:

I walk among your streets and houses
I feel your breath of spring (or and the smell of the pine trees)
The song that cries from your stillness
no human tongue can bring

I dream a dream of holy places
within your timeless soul
I am your child across the water
I share the truth you hold

jerusalem , made of gold
your're made of copper burning bright
your every song makes me a singer
I need you your light

Fourth Verse: Itay Chamiel posted (1/13/96) that Schemer-Sapir wrote "an extra and extremely optimistic (as opposed to the first three) verse, [but] Phish don't sing it. At least, not in what I have (7-24-93 Great Woods). The song in this form [without the last verse] whines about the captured, deserted and divided city. ... [The fourth verse begins] 'Hazarnu el borot hamayim, Lashuk velakikar.' The song expresses the sadness that Jerusalem was a divided city. The line that is quoted is read 'haloh le'chol sheerayick ani keenor.' Literally, it means "if not for all your songs, I am your violin.' It is generally understood to mean 'I am an instrument/vehicle for singing your praise.'"

Thanks also to Edward Seidman (8/15/96) and Eric Segal (6/21/01).

"Maybe the way to make everything right is for God to reach out and just turn off the light.""
-- Shel Silverstein"