Introduction:
This song reflects one of the best known phrases of the prophet Isaiah: "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah, Chapter 2, v 4.) Though the story of Hanukkah relates a time when we had to use weapons to fight our oppressors, we always look to a future where all humankind can live in peace. This song is a good song to sing with actions. Children can brainstorm some good actions to illustrate phrases like "gonna lay down my sword and shield", "I ain't gonna study war no more" etc.
Note: Please wait for this page to download completely before listening to the song. If you are not able to hear the song, please email Andy Zhang at andy@jcca.org.
Lyrics:
Lay Down My Sword and Shield:
Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
I'm Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
down by the riverside.
Lo yisah goi el goi cherev,
Lo yilm'du od milchama,
Lo yisah goi el goi cherev.
Lo yisah goi el goi cherev,
Lo yilm'du od milchama,
Lo yisah goi el goi cherev.
Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
Gonna study war no more.
Literal translation of the Hebrew words featured in song:
Lo yisah goi el goi cherev
Lo yilm'du od milchama
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.
They shall not learn more war.
