Abraham Wolf Binder’s A t’file (A Prayer) is an urgent, intense plea for release from the weight of a heavy heart and the gloom of a terrified soul. In it, the poet, Avraham Reisen (1875–1953), succinctly turns to traditional faith in an ultimately all-merciful God, of whom the human soul is part—constantly searching for the Divine essence.
Sung in Yiddish
Words: Avraham Reisen
Stones weigh down upon my heart.
Dark clouds circle around my head.
God, You who are good and all-merciful,
Send Your grace down upon me.
My soul is cold, terrified.
But it is a part of You.
And it constantly longs and searches for You.
Heal my soul-heal it.
Sung in Yiddish
Words: Avraham Reisen
shteyner lign mir in hartsn.
khmares geyen mir in kop.
gal, du guter fil derbar'men,
shik dayn gnod af mir arop.
kalt dershrokn iz mayn zele.
zi iz dokh fun dir a teyl.
un zi benkt alts un zi zukhl dikh.
mayn neshome heyl zi, heyl.
Performers: John Musto, Piano
Translation: Adam J. Levitin
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